Nashville moves into phase three of reopening

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Nashville may start to look more like the city you're used to as phase three of the city's reopening plan begins Monday.

In Mayor John Cooper's original Roadmap to Reopening plan, phase three was supposed to look a little different. It was supposed to include a few more changes from phase two, but the reopening plan had to be updated to account for how Nashville is doing in the fight to slow the spread of COVID-19.

City leaders look at six metrics to decide if it's safe to reopen: the transmission rate of the virus, a 14-day new case trend, public health capacity, testing capacity and hospital capacity for floor beds and ICU beds.

Rules for restaurants reopening will remain the same in the updated phase three. Restaurants were supposed to be allowed to operate at full capacity in phase three, but due to the metrics city leaders are holding that step back and keeping restaurants at 75% capacity.

The original phase three would've allowed groups of 100 to gather, but now the Metro Public Health Department is going to continue limiting gatherings to 25 people.

Gyms and salons must also continue to operate at half-capacity.

Something different you can expect to see starting Monday: bars and small music venues are allowed to open for the first time in months - with some restrictions.

Bar areas can only operate at half-capacity for the time being, but people actually can't stand around at the bar and they will still be asked to maintain proper social distancing.

Small music venues can also operate at half-capacity or if they can maintain social distancing, they can open at full capacity.

Event spaces may open as well to 50% capacity or with no more than 250 people. Dance floors are to remain closed.

Another sign of the Nashville we know: transpotainment services can return as long as they take safety precautions.

Keep in mind, the health department can't issue citations for transpotainment businesses.

Starting Monday, Metro Parks will reopen playgrounds, dog parks, picnic shelters and basketball courts.

On playgrounds, parents are responsible for bringing their own disinfectant and sanitizing any equipment before and after use.

At dog parks, pet owners are required to wear masks and expected to maintain social distancing.

For basketball courts, only outdoor courts may reopen and spectators are asked to wear masks and maintain social distancing.

Other sports fields that reopen will not allow dug-out use. Spectators are also asked to use lawn chairs around the field rather than sit in the bleachers in order to practice social distancing.

Additionally, Metro Parks facilities that opened during phase two can increase capacity to 75% and doubles tennis will now be allowed.

Health officials are still monitoring COVID-19 numbers closely and still want people to practice social distancing and encourage everyone to wear masks.