US: Officials in Tennessee ease certain gathering restrictions through at least Feb. 27 /update 15

Event

Officials in Tennessee have issued orders to ease certain gathering restrictions statewide through at least Feb. 27, as part of the state's response to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Under the new directives, a ban for indoor gatherings of more than 10 people has been lifted, while rules for attendance at sporting and recreational activities in schools have been amended. Only athletes, coaches, officials, school administrators, immediate household members of those competing, media, and first responders are allowed to attend these events.

Additionally, the new statewide directives strongly encourage individuals to work from home whenever possible, places of worship to conduct ceremonies online, and attendants at weddings and funerals to maintain social distancing measures and to limit the number of people attending. Officials continue to recommend all individuals wear a facemask in public settings.

Additional restrictions are in place in several of the state's counties. Davidson County, which includes the city of Nashville, remains on Phase 3 of the county's economic recovery plan. Under the current directives, restaurants, bars, gyms, museums, and low-contact entertainment businesses, such as cinemas or bowling alleys, may open at 50-percent capacity; retail stores, commercial businesses, and personal care businesses may operate at 75-percent capacity. All restaurants and bars must cease serving food and drinks, and stop allowing new customers, nightly by 2200. All customers must wear a mask except when seated, and there cannot be more than eight people per table. Gatherings of more than eight people are prohibited.

In Shelby County, food and drink establishments must limit indoor services to 25-percent capacity, require all customers to be seated and wear a mask except when eating or drinking, and limit tables to a maximum of six people. These establishments, as well as indoor entertainment businesses such as bowling alleys, cinemas, and nightclubs, must cease service nightly by 2200 and close between 2230-0500. Festivals, fairs, and large-scale sporting and community events remain canceled. Retail stores and gyms and fitness centers must operate at 50-percent capacity. The use of facemasks is mandatory for residents over the age of two in public settings. Officials in Knox have extended restrictions for restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and similar establishments to close in-person services nightly by 2200, and limit their operating capacity to 50-percent. Gatherings of more than 10 people remain banned.

Authorities could reimpose, extend, further ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.

Advice

Emphasize basic health precautions, especially frequent handwashing with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable. Practice good coughing/sneezing etiquette (i.e., covering coughs and sneezes with a disposable tissue, maintaining distance from others, and washing hands). There is no evidence that the influenza vaccine, antibiotics, or antiviral medications will prevent this disease, highlighting the importance of diligent basic health precautions.