NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Metro Public Health Department (MPHD) officials announced today all COVID-19 capacity limitations will be lifted as of May 14 at 12:01 a.m. May 14th marks six weeks since the vaccine became available to all adults in Nashville. Six weeks corresponds to the time needed to reach full immunity from the slowest of the three available vaccines. The only restriction that will remain in place in Davidson County will be wearing masks indoors. MPHD will continue to strongly recommend that masks be worn outdoors when social distancing cannot be maintained.
“This is a transitional moment for Nashville as we focus on vaccinations and economic recovery,” said Mayor John Cooper. “As of today, over 40% of Nashvillians have received a vaccine, and we are committed to getting that number up in the coming weeks. The Public Health protections have gradually lifted as cases fell and vaccinations increased. Two and a half weeks from today, every Nashvillian will have had the opportunity to be fully vaccinated. The vaccines are life-saving and economy-saving, so every Nashvillian needs to get a shot to protect yourself, your family, friends and neighbors. I want to thank our businesses for doing the right thing and keeping Nashvillians safe during the pandemic.”
MPHD officials will continue to focus on vaccination efforts which is the most effective and the safest protection against COVID.
“It was a long journey to get us to this place and I am grateful to everyone in Davidson County who has come together to fight this virus.” said Dr. Alex Jahangir Chair of Metro’s Coronavirus Taskforce and Chair of the Metropolitan Board of Health. “While we are in the vaccination phase of our response, we must remember the danger has not passed. We need to remain vigilant, get vaccinated and continue to take care of each other.”
“I am especially grateful to our dedicated staff who have worked long hours and have given more than 130,000 vaccinations while making the process as quick and easy as possible for everyone in Nashville,” said Dr. Gill Wright, Interim Chief Medical Officer for the Metro Public Health Department. “The decision to remove the restrictions is based on vaccination rates, vaccine availability, and lower case rates. However, if there is a significant increase in cases, hospitalizations or deaths, then restrictions could be reinstated. That’s why everyone eligible should get vaccinated. That is the best protection for yourself and for the health of the community.”
First doses of vaccine will continue to be offered without an appointment by MPHD through May 7th at Music City Center; after that the operation will offer second doses only until closing at the end of the day on May 28.
Vaccinations will continue to be offered without an appointment at Metro’s drive-through site at the former K-mart, 2491 Murfreesboro Pike, and at MPHD mobile events throughout the county. Vaccine is readily available at multiple other sites including health care providers’ offices, walk-in clinics and pharmacies.
COVID-19 was first identified in Davidson County March 7, 2020 and the Board of Health declared a Public Health Emergency on March 15, 2020. Fourteen months after the initial business closures due to COVID-19, all capacity restrictions will be lifted.
Since then the Metro Public Health Department, in consultation with the Mayor’s Office and with the invaluable cooperation and support of other sectors in the Metropolitan Government, has sought to minimize the impact of this potentially deadly disease on the citizens we all serve.
It has been a long and difficult road. Davidson County has seen nearly 100,000 cases and more than 900 deaths among its residents.
