By Michelle Price
Special to the UCBJ
NASHVILLE – Gov. Bill Lee announced today that effective May 22, the state will lift capacity restrictions on restaurants and retail and instead focus on social distancing best practices, such as allowing six feet between tables in restaurants.
Guidelines will also be issued next week to facilitate the safe reopening of larger non-contact attractions, such as race tracks, waterparks, theaters, auditoriums, large museums and more. These new guidelines will apply in 89 of the state’s 95 counties.
“Tennesseans have worked incredibly hard to do their part and help slow the spread of COVID-19 so that our state can begin to reopen. Thanks to their continued efforts, we’re able to allow restaurants and retail businesses to operate at greater capacity and large attractions to open in a safe and thoughtful way,” said Governor Bill Lee. “Our state continues to see downward trends in case growth and meets the White House criteria for a phased reopening. This progress has been hard-won, and we can build upon it by reopening while also maintaining common-sense safety measures like mask-wearing and good hygiene. By taking the Tennessee Pledge, our businesses can reopen in a way that protects the health of their customers and employees and protects the livelihoods of hard-working Tennesseans.”
