Above: Governor Roy Cooper and the Coronavirus Task Force press conference on Tuesday evening.
RALEIGH — On Tuesday evening, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper offered more information about the first of three phases of reopening for businesses and public spaces; under Executive Order 138, signed today by the Governor, the state will enter Phase 1 on Friday at 5 p.m.
Cooper noted that social distancing efforts had spared North Carolina from the overwhelmed hospitals and healthcare systems that have wreaked havoc in other parts of the county. At the same time, Cooper said, all restrictions could not be removed all at once. Cooper said reopening the state would have to be “cautious” and “methodical.”
Cooper said that Phase 1 would last at least two weeks, and possibly longer depending on what the state’s metrics looked like. Cooper also noted that, if those metrics showed increases instead of leveling or decreasing, Phase 1 could last longer.
You can find Executive Order 138 here.
Latest metrics
Dr. Mandy Cohen, secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services recapped the four metrics on which the state has been basing its approach to reopening: Covid-like cases, lab-confirmed cases, the percentage of positive cases out of total tests, and hospitalizations. Cohen said three of the metrics were seeing positive results — i.e. ‘flattening’ — except for the continued increase in lab-confirmed cases. Cohen also said that PPE supplies, except hospital gowns, remained adequate.
Cohen noted that the state had ‘flattened the curve’ and that, while cases aren’t decreasing, because the state didn’t see a dramatic peak in the first place, the current data is overall positive. Also, overall, Cohen noted the statewide hospital capacity (including ICU beds and ventilators) remained more than what was needed to handle Covid-19 cases.
What does Phase 1 allow?
According to Cooper, the Phase 1 regulations will do away with the ‘non-essential’ and ‘essential’ designations. Instead, all retail businesses that can implement social distancing and frequent disinfecting procedures can open — and residents will be able to leave home to visit any legally open business. Retail businesses will be allowed to increase to 50% of their usual legal capacity.
Restaurant dining rooms and bars will not reopen until Phase 2, and those businesses identified by previous orders — ‘personal care’ businesses like hair and nail salons, tattoo parlors and massage services, and others — will also remain closed.
According to Cooper’s order, the following types of entertainment businesses will still be closed:
- Bingo Parlors, including bingo sites operated by charitable organizations
- Bowling Alleys
- Indoor Exercise Facilities ( e.g., gyms, yoga studios, martial arts facilities, indoor trampoline and rock climbing facilities)
- Health Clubs, Fitness Centers, and Gyms
- Indoor/Outdoor Pools
- Live Performance Venues
- Movie Theaters
- Skating Rinks
- Spas, including health spas
- Gaming and business establishments which allow gaming activities (e.g., video poker, gaming, sweepstakes, video games, arcade games, pinball machines or other computer, electronic or mechanical devices played for amusement).
Cooper also noted that his office was ‘paying attention to the 1st Amendment’ and said that gatherings, be it for religious, social, or other reasons, would be allowed provided they were outside and that social distancing (i.e. 6-feet separation) regulations are adhered to by participants.
