New Social Distancing Executive Order: 5 Ways It Impacts You
Today’s the day Gov. Roy Cooper’s new Executive Order 131 goes into effect, implementing stronger social-distancing requirements to help further slow the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). This is true for all operating retail establishments, regardless of size. Even with so much already being done, here’s what you can expect once the order begins at 5 p.m. on April 13:
1. Not many people can be in stores now
Lots of stores, including Walmart, have already started doing this. The order says that stores can only have 20 percent of their fire capacity, or five customers for every 1,000-square-feet of square footage, in the store at a time. So that means in a 100,000-square-foot Walmart store, there shouldn’t be more than 500 people at the same time (unless fire code number is lower). Sounds like a lot, but based on the space in the store, it makes sense. Bottom line here: You shouldn’t really be going into these stores if you can help it. Do online shopping and pickup if you can. If you do have to go in, wear a mask so if you are positive but asymptomatic, you can lower the chance of spreading the coronavirus.
2. Expect to see lots of social-distancing markers around stores
Look, we know some of you are going to HAVE to go to the store. It’s just inevitable right now. So if you’re in there, you’ll see markers all around helping to show 6-foot social distancing limits. Please observe these to help protect you and others. You’ll see them around the registers, and probably at deli counters, etc. Don’t ignore them.
3. Things should be a lot cleaner too
Not that most stores weren’t keeping things pretty clean, but now they should be a LOT cleaner. The order mandates “frequent and routine” environmental cleaning and disinfection. This will be especially true at areas lots of people might be breathing on our touching, like at registers or on freezer section doors.
4. You might see some hand sanitizer when you come in
While not mandatory, stores are now highly encouraged to provide stations at entry and exit points that have hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes. Again, if these are made available, please use them. They will help protect you and others. Just a reminder, but even though you think you may not have the coronavirus, it’s possible you do … even without symptoms. So if nothing else, make sure you’re helping protect everyone else, just in case.
5. A couple other things this order did that you probably won’t notice
While the key part of this order was about additional social distancing at stores, there were a couple of other things in this order. The first was about helping lower risk in long-term care facilities. They are now encouraged to do things like cancel group meals, and take the temperature of employees coming in to the facility. There will also be additional personal protective equipment required.
The order also helped streamline unemployment claims. With the Department of Employment Services facing a massive surge of unemployment requests, additional measures are now in place to speed of many of them.
6. Please don’t get complacent
While we’ve now been doing all of the other stuff for a few weeks, and it’s really easy to start thinking we are out of the woods, we aren’t yet. Please continue to observe the stay-at-home order, and please limit all travel to only essential travel. This will help to make sure our numbers stay relatively low and that our entire community stays healthy and safe.
GALLERY: Coronavirus Around the World
