NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Some Nashville leaders are criticizing the health department's decision to close COVID-19 testing centers for the Fourth of July holiday.
This week, Metro Public Health Department officials announced coronavirus assessment centers, the COVID-19 hotline and mask distributions would close on Friday and Saturday because of the Fourth of July.
The closures come as COVID-19 cases are surging in Nashville and across the state. On Friday, the Tennessee Dept. of Health reported more than 1.800 new cases, a record number.
"Honestly, it's absurd," Council Member Colby Sledge, who represents District 17, said about the closures. "There are other cities that were open today, Chattanooga was doing testing this morning, Charlotte, North Carolina started a massive mask giveaway today."
Sledge said shutting down the testing sites will send the wrong message.
"We're all making sacrifices here, and for people to look at their local government and see that it isn't making those same sacrifices and isn't doing the things to help everyone get through this, it's just not acceptable," Sledge said. "This virus does not take a day off and we shouldn't be either."
Metro testing sites will reopen on Monday, the COVID-19 hotline will open on Sunday.
