Nashville Mayor John Cooper is planning to shut down Nashville bars to help stem the spread of  the coronavirus, but restaurants will be able to remain open in a restricted capacity.

Under Cooper’s order, establishments where food makes up less than half of revenues, must close their doors. Restaurants are limited to seating half of their capacity, or up to 100 guests. Bar service at such restaurants is also limited to 50 percent of capacity and no standing is allowed.

State law includes a provision for “limited service restaurants” for the purpose of applying for a liquor-by-the-drink license. They are defined as deriving less than 50% of gross revenue from the sales of food (excluding “prepared food, chips, popcorn, pretzels, peanuts and other similar snack items.”)

So what makes a bar that derives, say, 40% of its revenue from food more prone to spreading the virus than one that brings in 55% from dining service? It’s unclear. But videos like these have caused a widespread backlash against people crowding into downtown Nashville clubs amid the pandemic:

Downtown Nashville is undefeated. pic.twitter.com/BFIOzukFct

— Janna Abraham (@SportsPundette) March 15, 2020

See the full release from the mayor’s office after the jump:

Continue reading →