NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Metro Council voted to defer discussion on an indoor mask mandate throughout Davidson County indefinitely.
The bill was on its third and final reading and needed 21 votes to pass.
During Tuesday night's meeting, Councilmember Joy Styles moved to defer the bill and did not give a reason why. Her motion was met with cheers from those in attendance.
The mandate would have impacted both vaccinated and unvaccinated people. However, it would only impact indoor public spaces. If someone were to violate the mandate they could face a $50 fine. Children under two and those who cannot medically tolerate wearing a mask would be exempt. Other exemptions can be found in the raw bill.
The bill was approved in its second reading last month with 21 for, 12 against and four abstaining.
There has been a lot of back and forth with a proposed mandate.
The Director of the Metro Public Health Department. Dr. Gill Wright wrote a letter last month explaining why he believes a mask mandate isn't needed right now, saying vaccines should be the focus.
On the other hand, before the last vote, a letter with around 900 signatures from business owners, physicians and constituents called on the health department and mayor to reinstate a mask mandate.
Previous story: Metro indoor mask mandate one vote away from final approval
