April 1,2020 I The Clarion
COVID-19 Updates
Page 3
NC governor issues 'stay-at-home' order
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper ordered
people in the state to stay at home for 30 days,
until April 29, 2020, in another step to slow the
spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus.
Cooper’s Executive Order No. 121 limits the
size of gatherings to 10 people but provides
for essential businesses to continue to operate
while prioritizing social distancing measures.
The order went into effect at 5 p.m. on Mon
day. It 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,”
Cooper said when issuing the order on March
27. “Though it is difficult, we must do this to
slow the disease spread. We need our medical
system to be able to care for the friends and
family we know will become seriously ill from
the virus.”
When he issued the order on Friday, Cooper
noted that three North Carolinians had died due
to COVID-19 and the state had 763 confirmed
cases of the virus in 60 counties. Since then,
the number of cases in North Carolina has
doubled and the number of deaths has risen to
at least eight.
Cooper called on all North Carolinians to
protect themselves by staying home and fol
lowing 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. Specifi
cally, the order bans gatherings of more than
10 people and directs everyone to physically
stay at least six feet apart from others.
For more information about health recom
mendations and who is designated at high
risk for becoming seriously ill, please visit the
CDC s website at www. cdc. mv/coronavirus
and NCDHHS’ website at www. ncdhhs. eov/
coronavirus.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about the NC stay-at-home order
The governor’s stay-at-home order
permits the following businesses to
remain open:
• Restaurants that provide take-out, drive-
thru, or deiivery
• Grocery stores
• ABC stores and beer and wine stores
• Doctors and other healthcare providers
• Pharmacies
• Hardware stores
• Post offices
• Office suppiy stores
• Gas stations and convenience stores
• Veterinarians and pet supply stores
• Hotels, airlines, buses, taxis, and
rideshare services
• Places of worship
• Media organizations
• Educational institutions providing
remote learning opportunities
What does “Stay at Home” mean?
It means people should stay at their
residence and limit social interactions and
travel for essential activities or essential
business purposes.
Is this Executive Order mandatory or is
it just guidance?
This Order is mandatory. All persons and
other entities are required to comply if they
do not fall within the exemptions that are
specified in the Order.
How will this Executive Order be
enforced?
Gov. Cooper is seeking voluntary
cooperation from all state residents and
businesses to ensure the health and
safety of our communities. If voluntary
cooperation is not achieved, state and local
law enforcement officers have the authority
to enforce the Order.
Can I leave my home to visit friends or
family members?
Individuals may leave their homes to care
for a family member or friend, or to help
their family member or friend get essential
goods or receive necessary health care.
Individuals should not visit with friends or
family members if there is no urgent need.
Can I leave my home to exercise?
People are encouraged to maintain
healthy lifestyles, including outdoor
recreational activity, such as walking pets
and jogging. While exercising, individuals
should maintain social distancing and
continue to take protective measures
to maintain their personal health and
wellbeing.
Does this Order prohibit outside group
exercise?
As long as the group abides by the mass
gatherings provision in the Order (no more
than 10 people) and maintains adequate
social distancing, this activity is not
prohibited, but it is strongly discouraged.
What if my home is not a safe
environment?
Individuals whose residences are unsafe
or become unsafe, such as victims of
domestic violence, are permitted and urged
to leave their home and stay at a safe
alternate location, which can include a hotel
or shelter.
Does this Order prohibit operations of
chiid care centers and other child care
providers?
No. Although child care providers are
urged to remain open for first responders
and essential employees, they are also
open to the general public. All open child
care providers must follow the NCDHHS
emergency child care operations and
financing guidance.
Can I still mail items and get deliveries?
Yes. The postal service and private
mail and delivery services are essential
businesses and will remain open.
What is the current number of people
that can gather under the mass
gathering requirements?
A mass gathering is defined as no more
than ten (10) people.
Are religious functions allowed?
Religious gatherings are subject to the
mass gathering ban and may not have
more than 10 people. Participants should
practice social distancing.
Are weddings allowed?
Weddings are subject to the mass
gathering ban and may not have more than
10 people. Participants should practice
social distancing.
Are funerals allowed?
Funerals are time-sensitive events
and may not have more than 50 people.
Participants should practice social
distancing.
What are social distancing
requirements?
• Maintain at least a six foot distance from
other individuals
• Wash hands using soap and water for
at least twenty seconds as frequently as
possible or the use of hand sanitizer;
• Regularly clean high-touch surfaces;
• Facilitate online or remote access by
customers if possible.