North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper said he will sign an executive order for the state to enter Phase 1 of lifting the restrictions issued during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cooper said North Carolinians’ efforts to stay home, use face coverings and physically distance themselves when in public have affected the virus’ spread enough to move into this initial phase of a ‘new normal.’ The order will go into effect Friday, May 8, at 5 p.m.
The stay at home order will remain in place as part of this phase, but Cooper said this order will modify it to ease some of the restrictions. The governor said if North Carolina’s trends begin to show rises in COVID-19 cases again, the order will be modified to the original restrictions enacted in March.
Phase 1 removes the designation of essential and non-essential businesses. Retail businesses can open up to 50 percent capacity with frequent cleaning and if they have customers follow social distancing guidelines. Businesses that make social distancing difficult, like gyms, barbershops, nail salons and entertainment venues, will remain closed and plans are for them to reopen in Phase 2.
Protests and worship services can be conducted for groups more than ten people if held outdoors and if people are properly socially distanced, according to the governor. Cooper also said summer camps that are not overnight can also be held in this phase.
Restaurants and bars will still continue to serve only takeout and delivery orders, according to the guidelines.
The governor and state health officials have emphasized a reliance on data and science to dictate which phases to enter and when.
Secretary of the state Department of Health and Human Services Dr. Mandy Cohen said the state may not see steep decreases in these metrics due to the residents largely ‘flattening the curve’ of COVID-19 cases. But in the updates she gave on the main traits the department is tracking, she described them as stable.
“Continued stability in these trends is a really positive and a testament to the governor and your efforts to save lives,” she said.
Cohen described over half of adult residents in the state fit into the high-risk category, either because of age or at least one underlying health condition that puts them at higher risk of becoming infected. She said these demographics are why state residents should continue to wear face coverings, physically distance each other and wash hands frequently.
To also help with this, the governor also recommended employers have employees continue to telework as much as possible.
“I think employers are being creative to make sure employees are safe and getting work done,” he said. “Those are the kinds of things we want them to do so we can ignite our economy and stay safe at the same time.”
Cooper said the executive order that will begin Phase 1 in North Carolina is initially slated to last until Friday, May 22.
“We are going to wait and look at this data,” he said when asked about whether that date will be when Phase 2 for the state begins. “The health and safety of North Carolinians will be the number one priority. In order for our economy to thrive, people need to feel safe and need to trust this process. We’re hopeful, but we’ll see what the data tells us and we’ll make the decision accordingly.”
Photo via NC Department of Public Safety.
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