Nashville Offers Hotel Vouchers To Immigrant Families With COVID-19 Cases

By Dulce Torres Guzman, Tennessee Lookout

August 21, 2020

Hispanics continue to make up more than 19% of COVID-19 cases in Nashville/Davidson County and mayoral staffer Fabian Bedne announced the city’s newest efforts to provide resources for struggling families on Thursday.

COVID heat maps continue to show Southeast Nashville as the most infected area with more than 11,000 confirmed total cases. Despite additional testing, members of the immigrant community who contract the virus are often left struggling for resources to keep their families and themselves safe.

According to Bedne, the city is now offering hotel vouchers to quarantine infected individuals from the rest of the members in their household. After tests are conducted, results may take several days and individuals are asked to stay home while waiting.

If results are positive for the virus, the health department will call and ask if the infected person is interested in staying in a hotel for quarantine, free of charge, in order to stop the spread of the virus. The health department will not ask for a social security number, Bedne reminded the community, and any instances of this being asked for should be reported to the city.

Families who are struggling due to lost wages, and particularly those quarantining, may access programs for food. These resources are intended for people to properly quarantine and prevent future breakouts, according to Bedne. Information in Spanish about COVID-19 is available on the city webpage.

Bedne also announced a list of upcoming and potential testing sites in immigrant communities, including:

• La Casa de Dios: 3030 Dickerson Pike
• Islamic Center of Tennessee: 5400 Forge Lane E.
• Rosedale Baptist Church: 503 Rosedale Avenue
• Nashville International Center for Empowerment (NICE): 417 Welshwood Dr #100,
• Plaza Mariachi Parking Lot: 3955 Nolensville Pike
• Back of L&E Market: 606 Millwood Drive

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