BREAKING: Gov. Cooper Issuing Mandatory 30-Day Stay-At-Home Order for NC
Gov. Roy Cooper has issued a mandatory 30-day stay-at-home order for all North Carolina residents in all counties, effective 5 p.m. Monday. The order bans gatherings of more than 10 people and directs everyone to stay at least 6 feet away from others. It allows for essential services to continue, but encourages strong social distancing measures for all of them.
According to the state’s FAQ, the order permits the following businesses to remain open, but they still must follow the gatherings rules:
- Restaurants that provide take-out, drive-thru, or delivery
- Grocery stores
- ABC stores and beer and wine stores
- Doctors and other healthcare providers
- Pharmacies
- Hardware stores
- Post offices
- Office supply stores
- Gas stations and convenience stores
- Veterinarians and pet supply stores
- Hotels, airlines, buses, taxis, and rideshare services
- Places of worship
- Child care providers (that are following the required NCDHHS procedures)
.@NC_Governor: To continue our aggressive battle to slow the spread of #COVID19, today I have signed a Stay At Home order for the entire state of North Carolina. Enforcement begins at 5p.m. Monday. It is what we have to do to save lives. It has the force of law.
— NCDHHS (@ncdhhs) March 27, 2020
More to come from the live news conference. You can watch it here.
Also of note:
- “I know this order may lead to more hardship and heartache,” Cooper said.
- State has 764 cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) in 61 counties.
- Dr. Mandy Cohen, Secretary of NCDHHS: “Both the North Carolina Medical Society and the North Carolina Healthcare Association, which represent doctors and hospitals across the state, have warned about potential shortages of supplies, equipment and hospital beds.”
- Text COVIDNC to 898211 to get updates on coronavirus in North Carolina.
- No additional permits will need to be in place if a business is deemed essential.
- Residents encouraged to voluntarily begin this immediately and not wait until Monday at 5 p.m.
The full release from the Governor’s office is below:
Governor Roy Cooper ordered people in the state of North Carolina to stay at home for thirty days, until April 29, 2020, in another step to slow the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. Governor Cooper’s Executive Order No. 121 takes effect on Monday, March 30 at 5:00 PM and reduces the size of gatherings to 10 people. The Order provides for essential businesses to continue to operate while prioritizing social distancing measures. The Order has the force of law and will be enforced in all 100 counties statewide.
“To continue our aggressive battle against COVID-19, I have signed a Stay at Home Order for the entire state of North Carolina. Though it is difficult we must do this to slow the disease spread,” said Governor Cooper. “We need our medical system to be able to care for the friends and family we know will become seriously ill from the virus.”
The Governor noted today that three North Carolinians have died due to COVID-19 and the state has 763 confirmed cases of the virus in 60 counties. He called on all North Carolinians to protect themselves by staying home and following social distancing guidelines. North Carolina is now considered to have widespread transmission of the virus, which means people who have tested positive cannot trace where they were exposed to the virus.
The Order directs people to stay at home except to visit essential businesses, to exercise outdoors or to help a family member. Specifically, the order bans gatherings of more than 10 people and directs everyone to physically stay at least six feet apart from others.
“I know this order may lead to even more hardship and heartache. Although we are physically apart, we must take this step together in spirit,” Governor Cooper said.
The Governor’s full order is available HERE.
Unless noted in the order, previous closures and orders stand as written as do local government orders in cities and counties. Frequently Asked Questions about the Order can be found HERE.
If you do not think your business is included in the essential services list, and you think it should be, you may apply online at the NC Department of Revenue to be designated essential HERE.
Until your exemption is reviewed, you may operate as long as your business can accommodate social distancing in your workplace.
For more information about health recommendations and who is designated at high risk for becoming seriously ill, please visit the CDC’s website at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus and NCDHHS’ website at www.ncdhhs.gov/coronavirus.
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