Above: A videotaped statement from New Hanover County Board Chair Julia Olson-Boseman.
WILMINGTON — The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners issued a county-wide state of emergency on Friday evening. This includes a prohibition on all gatherings, public or private, of more than 10 people, with few exceptions, as well as a county-wide closing of public beach access.
According to a release from the county, the state of emergency was enacted to “ensure social distancing and reduce risk of COVID-19. The State of Emergency is effective as of 5 p.m. and applies to the unincorporated areas of the county, City of Wilmington, and all beach communities.”
The state of emergency covers beach closures, new prohibitions and restrictions, and additional closures. The county confirmed these new restrictions are enforceable by local law enforcement.
Commissioner Woody White took to social media to ‘respectfully disagree ‘with the announcement shortly afterward.’
The Virus is a serious public health crisis but this was unnecessary and I respectfully disagree with its entry. People can exercise common sense without local government adding to the hysteria. https://t.co/iVTkU60m9h
— Woody White (@WoodyWhite5) March 20, 2020
In a statement, White added, “This decision was made solely by the Commission Chair as the law allows. I did not support the decision because I believe that governmental decisions which infringe on civil liberties must be based on common sense consideration of data and done in the absence of other mitigating options. The virus is a serious public health crisis, and limiting groups and partying on the beach is reasonable. But prohibiting families and children to find respite in a public area during a time like this is not reasonable. “
Beaches
Access to the county, “beaches including, but not limited to, wet and dry public trust strands is prohibited with noncompliance enforceable as a trespass and as otherwise authorized by General Statute 166A. This prohibition does not include boat launches or docks.”
Earlier in the day, Wrightsville Beach closed its beaches less than a day after telling both Port City Daily and county officials that it had no plans to do so. Even after the closure, multiple reports came in of groups congregating on the beach. In Carolina Beach, where beaches were also closed this afternoon, the situation was the same, with large groups still on the beach hours after the closure.
According to the county, “[b]ridges [to the beach towns, including Snow’s Cut and Heide Trask] are still open, and businesses on the islands will continue to operate, abiding by the current Governor’s orders. Only public access to the beach strands is prohibited at this time. Residents are encouraged to support local businesses by using online services, purchasing gift cards and ordering takeout or delivery.”
Prohibitions and restrictions
According to the county, “‘Prohibited gathering’ is defined as any event or convening that brings together more than ten (10) persons in a single room or single space at the same time, such as an auditorium, stadium, arena, large conference room, meeting hall, theater, or any other confined indoor or outdoor space. This includes parades, fairs, and festivals. A prohibited gathering does not include normal operations at airports, bus and train stations medical facilities, shopping malls and centers or other spaces where more than ten (10) person are gathered. It also does not include office environments, factories, grocery stores, or other retail establishments.”
While the order does not mandate it, some stores — including the county’s ABC stores — have started regulating access to the buildings to limit the number of customers inside at any given time.
The county said it would also “close public restrooms at all county parks until further notice … due to the higher level and frequency of cleaning and sanitation recommended for high volume public restrooms to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The county’s parks and gardens remain open, but visitors cannot congregate in groups of more than 10 and must maintain a distance of six feet from one another.”
Regional declarations
According to the county, “New Hanover County coordinated with all municipalities within the county on the terms of this State of Emergency. At this time, Carolina Beach and Wrightsville Beach have also issued their own State of Emergency declarations.”
Wilmington has also noted it will join the state of emergency.
New Hanover County’s State of Emergency, enacted by the board of commissioners ‘acting through the chair,’ Julia Olson-Boseman, can be viewed here.
“The State of Emergency provides consistency across all of New Hanover County and promotes social distancing to help protect us each individually, as well as others,” Boseman said. “We know limiting gatherings and beach access can be inconvenient for our community, but it is an important step to keep our residents safe. We are being proactive so that we don’t have to close other facilities or important services in our community, and we need people to take this order seriously. The more we can do now to limit the spread of this virus, the better.”
Other recommendations
To prevent the spread of COVID-19, residents are encouraged to continue increased prevention measures and practice limited contact with others:
- Follow social distancing: gatherings of more than 10 people are prohibited, under the State of Emergency, and individuals are encouraged to maintain 6 feet of distance from others.
- Wash hands frequently with soap and water, and for at least 20 seconds each time.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are ill.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
- Do not reuse tissue after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces that are frequently touched (like your phone, tablet, countertops and daily work surfaces).
- Stay home and away from others when you are sick.
Residents are also encouraged to prepare for the potential impacts of COVID-19 as you would for other emergencies, using the ReadyNHC steps:
- Make a Plan
- Plan for social distancing and other prevention measures.
- If at-risk, cancel plans to attend large events and non-essential travel.
- Plan for limiting the need to go out in public by utilizing services like delivery of groceries and other goods.
- Build a Kit
- Have non-perishable food and water, medications and anything you need to stay home for several days to limit the risk of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses in your household.
- Stay Informed
- Follow trusted sources for information about COVID-19: NHCgov.com/Coronavirus, NCDHHS.gov and CDC.gov.
