NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — The Metro board of health has declared a public health emergency due to COVID-19. The move allows the Metro director of health to use additional measures to help curb the spread of the new coronavirus, a.k.a. COVID-19.

Initial steps discussed during a special meeting held Sunday by the Metro board of health could include the closing of bars in Metro Nashville, and reducing restaurant occupancy to 50% or 100 seats, whichever is less. That could come within 24-48 hours of Sunday night's meeting.

California, Illinois, and Ohio closed bars and restaurants statewide on Sunday.

"Nashville faces a new challenge that once again requires all of us to pull together and respond for the good of our entire community," Nashville Mayor John Cooper said following the decision. "A part of our path forward is clear. We must do everything we can to flatten the curve of the coronavirus disease."

The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Davidson County rose to 17 on Sunday.

In a statement earlier Sunday afternoon, Cooper called for bars on Lower Broadway and throughout the county to close until further notice. He also asked restaurants to limit seating to 50 percent of capacity, with a cap of 100 people, and restaurant bars to not allow standing.

Some bars are sayting they'll fight an order to close. The owner of Tootsie's, Honkey Tonk Central, and others, are saying they'll remain open until it's mandated from the Governor.

Owner of Tootsie’s, Honky Tonk Central and other Broadway bars released a statement reacting to the mayor’s request to close bars on Lower Broadway until further notice. @NC5 pic.twitter.com/0EIib8v6RO — Matthew Torres (@NC5_MTorres) March 15, 2020

One concern of some members of the board of health are for the workers at these establishments, who would in all likelihood be out of a job during the closure.

“We understand these changes create a hardship, especially for businesses and their employees, and we hope it will be short lived,’’ Cooper said. "As a priority, Metro Government will be focused on how to provide relief for local workers and address the inevitable hardship that these social distancing measures will have on local businesses. We are gathering information from state and federal officials on aid for businesses and workers. We will continue to communicate regularly and follow the recommendations of the Board of Health as this emergency evolves.”