Above: Governor Roy Cooper and top officials discuss the latest executive order.
NORTH CAROLINA — It might not be an official ‘shelter in place’ order, but Governor Roy Cooper is taking more action to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus, which has been identified in 45 different counties with more than 200 cases in the state.
On Monday afternoon, Cooper held a press conference announcing new restrictions and closures — including the suspension of all in-person instruction at all N.C. schools.
“I am not ready to give up on this year of school, but I will sign an executive order to close schools for in-person instruction until May 15. This is what we need to do to stop the spread of the virus,” Cooper said.
Cooper has asked the state board of education to work on creating a plan to help students continue learning and getting an education while schools are physically closed.
“We arrived at this May 15 date by looking at the CDC and public health guidance — if the guidance changes we will adjust the order,” Cooper said.
North Carolina State Superintendent Mark Johnson said for students set to graduate in the class of 2020, the state’s Department of Public Instruction was working to ensure that graduation still happened this year.
It’s not just schools that are closing, Cooper’s order is also requiring the closure of other businesses that cannot limit social distancing.
The order will close gyms, health clubs, barbershops, salons, and other similar businesses. Cooper said this order would take effect on Wednesday at 5 p.m., but he did not give an expiration date for the order (the written version notes the order is in effect for 30 days, but that could be extended). Cooper encouraged those businesses to close ‘even earlier’ than the effective date where possible.
People should not rush to grocery stores and hoard resources, Cooper emphasized as grocery stores and restaurants will remain open (for take-out only).
Cooper assured viewers that supply lines are open and working as usual. With this in mind, goods should not be limited, provided people do not panic buy or hoard resources.
Cooper also reduced the maximum size of gathering allowed by law from 100 to 50. Asked if Cooper was considering a ‘shelter in place’ order he said that while the state was not issuing one today, the situation was evolving rapidly and officials were planning for all contingencies (including a ‘stay at home’ or shelter in place type shutdown).
