Governor Roy Cooper announced Executive Order 195 — which eases some pandemic restrictions and lifts North Carolina’s modified stay at home order — earlier this week.
“Given the significant and sustained improvement in our COVID-19 metrics,” said Cooper, “today I am announcing that we will ease but not lift restrictions in several areas with a new executive order that will go into effect this Friday, February 26.”
The move is one of the first shifts from restrictions set in place to limit the spread of the coronavirus. As it goes into effect Friday, here’s what North Carolinians need to know about the new order and how it affects our community.
How does the order affect businesses?
Fitness and physical activity facilities, museums, personal care businesses, restaurants, and retail businesses can open their indoors to 50 percent capacity, an increase from before.
Bars, lounges, movie theaters and entertainment facilities, meeting spaces and conference centers, and venues or arenas can open indoor spaces to 30 percent capacity, which had previously not been allowed under the order. The time for ending on-site alcohol purchases will also be extended to 11 p.m.
Additionally, the 10 p.m. curfew within North Carolina has been lifted.
Most indoor facilities in the 30 percent-occupancy category may not exceed 250 people per indoor room or indoor space. All workers and guests must continue to wear face masks at all times.
More information about specific businesses can be found within documents for the executive order.
How does the order affect athletic events?
Under the executive order, college and professional indoor sports can have fans at 15 percent capacity with certain protocols. UNC has already announced plans to welcome back fans this weekend, including for Saturday’s basketball game against Florida State.
“Our priorities will continue to be allowing family members of student-athletes and coaches, as well as Carolina students, into our arenas,” wrote UNC athletic director Bubba Cunningham. “We also have worked to include opportunities for faculty, staff, Rams Club members and sponsors to attend different sporting events when possible.”
No tickets will be made available to the general public for the remaining two UNC basketball games.
Single-game tickets will be on sale for baseball, lacrosse and soccer. A limited number of students and fans will also be allowed at field hockey, softball, volleyball, gymnastics and tennis matches.
Does the order affect high school sports?
While the executive order allows for a limited number of fans at high school sports games, different guidelines may be enacted locally. The Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education met last week and took no action on a motion to allow fans at high school games.
The board is set to meet next week on Thursday, March 4.
At his press conference, Governor Cooper also gave an update on COVID-19 metrics in the state and encouraged residents to continue virus mitigation measures despite loosened restrictions.
“Easing these restrictions will only work if we keep protecting ourselves and others from this deadly virus,” Cooper said. “The order and our own common sense say that health and safety protocols must remain in place.”
Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees. You can support local journalism and our mission to serve the community. Contribute today – every single dollar matters.
Related Stories
‹
5 Things We Know and Still Don’t Know About COVID, 5 Years After It AppearedCOVID-19 is less deadly than it was in the pandemic’s early days. But the virus is evolving, meaning scientists must track it closely.
What Makes Orange County Attractive to Visitors? Results of Survey Show What Locals ThinkThe Orange County Visitors Bureau rolled out a third-party study to see how aligned its community is as to why people should come visit.
Nearly 10,000 Died From COVID-19 Last Month, Fueled by Holiday Gatherings and New Variant, WHO SaysThe head of the U.N. health agency said holiday gatherings and global spread led to increased transmission of COVID-19 last month.
Biden Ends COVID National Emergency After Congress ActsWritten by ZEKE MILLER The U.S. national emergency to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic ended Monday as President Joe Biden signed a bipartisan congressional resolution to bring it to a close after three years — weeks before it was set to expire alongside a separate public health emergency. The national emergency allowed the government to take sweeping […]
COVID-19 Conspiracies Soar After Latest Report on OriginWritten by DAVID KLEPPER COVID-19′s origins remain hazy. Three years after the start of the pandemic, it’s still unclear whether the coronavirus that causes the disease leaked from a lab or spread to humans from an animal. This much is known: When it comes to COVID-19 misinformation, any new report on the virus’ origin quickly triggers […]
Thousands of Students Are Missing From School. Where Did They Go?Written by BIANCA VÁZQUEZ TONESS and SHARON LURYE She’d be a senior right now, preparing for graduation in a few months, probably leading her school’s modern dance troupe and taking art classes. Instead, Kailani Taylor-Cribb hasn’t taken a single class in what used to be her high school since the height of the coronavirus pandemic. […]
National Expert: Getting Kids Vaccinated Before School is 'Best Thing to Do'Younger children are the age demographic that had the longest waits for COVID-19 vaccines to be approved. So far, their vaccination rates reflect that gap of time, but urgency around getting those initial doses has slowed to a crawl. With a new school year being just around the corner, though, federal health officials are saying […]
Report: Orange County Tourism Data Shows Drop in Visitor Spending, But Potential for ReboundA recent report from Visit North Carolina reveals a 48% drop in local visitor spending for Orange County during the COVID-19 pandemic. But as businesses reopen and tourism returns to the area, members of the Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau say Chapel Hill is poised for a vibrant comeback. As the pandemic forced […]
UNC to Automatically Register Employees for the COVID-19 VaccineWith the news that all frontline essential workers are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine beginning on Wednesday, March 3, UNC is communicating plans on how it will affect university employees. Group 3 includes “college and university instructors and support staff” as well as other front-line essential workers and researchers, as defined by the North Carolina Department of Health […]
North Carolina's COVID-19 Restrictions Ease on Friday: Here's What You Need to KnowGovernor Roy Cooper announced Executive Order 195 — which eases some pandemic restrictions and lifts North Carolina’s modified stay at home order — earlier this week. “Given the significant and sustained improvement in our COVID-19 metrics,” said Cooper, “today I am announcing that we will ease but not lift restrictions in several areas with a new […]
›
