Earlier this week, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper announced a nightly curfew will be put in place for the state amid rises in new COVID-19 cases and other increasing statewide trends.

Cooper and Dr. Mandy Cohen, the secretary for the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, said the record-breaking single-day numbers for new cases and hospitalizations within the state spurred the change. Currently, 48 counties within the state are listed as experiencing “critical” community spread. Cohen also said any potential spread of coronavirus from Thanksgiving gatherings may also not be reflected in these trends, indicating further worsening of trends could be seen.

Here’s what North Carolinians need to know about the new stay-at-home measure and additional changes from the executive order.

What’s the curfew?

The modified stay-at-home order for the state implements a curfew for North Carolina residents and asks them to remain at residences from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. unless an exception applies.

Additionally, most businesses are required to close at 10 p.m. and all on-site alcohol sales for restaurants must end at 9 p.m.

Live entertainment performances or events, such as movie screenings, and youth and amateur sporting events must stop no later than 10 p.m. as well. Professional or collegiate sports being played are allowed past 10 p.m.

What are the exceptions?

The executive order’s early closure does not apply to businesses that sell groceries, medication, fuel, or health care supplies. Businesses can also remain open after 10 p.m., as long as they do not welcome guests or customers onto their premises.

North Carolina residents who are traveling to and from work or obtaining food, medical care, fuel and social services past 10 p.m. will also be exempt from the stay-at-home order.

Individuals experiencing homelessness are also exempt from the curfew.

What happens if I’m out past the curfew for a non-exempted reason?

From the language of the executive order, law enforcement “are directed to enforce this Subsection 4.3 of the Executive Order against individuals only in cases of willful or repeated violations.”

What happens if cases continue to rise?

Cooper said his administration is not against additional restrictions if COVID-19 cases continue to rise in North Carolina.

“I think most North Carolinians want to do the right thing,” said Cooper. “If we’re saying it’s really important for you to be home after 10 p.m. and not to be gathering in other places, I think a lot of North Carolinians will do that. We have other things we can do, we have more tools we can use to fight the spread of this virus. But we think if we do this and people abide by it, then it’ll make a positive difference.”

Cooper’s new executive order is initially slated to last until January 8.

Photo via the North Carolina Department of Public Safety.

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