NASHVILLE – As he continues relaxing Tennessee’s COVID-19 restrictions, Gov. Bill Lee announced Friday that the state beginning late next week will remove capacity caps on restaurants and stores as well as allow movie theaters and even “large attractions” to reopen.
“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,” the Republican governor said in a statement. “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.”
Lee said the state’s downward trend in case growth for the potentially deadly coronavirus infections “meets the White House criteria for a phased reopening.”
Calling the progress “hard-won,” Lee said, “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.”
The governor’s “Tennessee Pledge” guidelines are voluntary.