Governor Signs Phase One Order: What Does It Mean?
Cooper says Phase Two could start by May 22
RALEIGH-On Tuesday, Gov. Roy Cooper announced he’s signing the order to start reopening North Carolina. Explaining his plans during an afternoon press conference, Cooper said he wants to be cautious and methodical with plans to ease restrictions, in order to avoid a spike in COVID-19 infections.
“Removing [restrictions] all at once would cause a surge in new cases, more people in the hospital and more North Carolinians dying,” Cooper said. “We have to keep taking precautions to keep people safe. At the same time, we know we can’t stay in our homes forever.”
To that point, Cooper said Phase One of the reopening will begin this coming Friday at 5 p.m. NWNC covered the press conference and reached out afterward to get clarification on a few issues. Here is a breakdown of what Phase One means and how it will affect local residents.
Q. What changes in Phase One?
Retail stores can increase the number of people allowed inside to 50 percent capacity, as long as they can implement social distancing and frequent cleaning. Some companies such as salons, barber shops, theaters, bars and gyms will remain closed in Phase I. Restaurants are also still closed to in-person dining, but they can still do takeout and curbside orders.
“These are businesses where social distancing is difficult and they will have the opportunity to reopen in Phase II when we get there,” Cooper said during Tuesday’s press conference.
The order allows people to leave home to visit any business that is open and it allows parks and trails to reopen. There are no more designations between ‘essential’ and ‘non-essential’ businesses. To be clear, the ‘stay at home’ order is still in place, but residents can leave for multiple reasons.
They include:
- To get groceries. This doesn’t just mean grocery stores. Farmers markets and bakeries are also allowed to operate during this time.
- To shop. You’re allowed to go to any open business, as long as you stay six feet away from other customers.
- To worship. Churches can stay open during this situation, but they do have to follow some guidelines, as we’ll explain below.
- To volunteer. For this to count, it has to be with “organizations that provide charitable and social services.”
- To take care of others. You can leave to care for a family member, friend or pet and transport them to a doctor’s appointment or other medical situation.
- To receive goods and services. If you have prescriptions to pick up or something else ordered from an ‘essential’ business, you can leave the house to pick it up.
- To go to work. There are no more “essential” or “non-essential” businesses. Under Phase I, most companies are allowed to open their doors.
- For child custody. If you have court-ordered child custody or visitation arrangements, you can leave home for those.
- For outdoor activities. We know, it seems odd to issue a ‘Stay at Home’ order and then say you can go into the woods. However, walking, running, hiking, golfing and biking are allowed, as long as you stay six feet away from anyone not in your household.
- For medical services. This includes taking people to any type of doctor’s appointments, visiting a clinic or hospital.
Q. What about worship services?
The Phase I order lifts some of the restrictions involved with worship services, as long as congregations follow certain guidelines.
“Under this order, worship services are allowed outdoors,” Cooper said on Tuesday. He explained that there is no limit to how many can take part in outdoor services, as long as each member stays six feet apart. Due to remaining concerns about the risk for infection, the 10 person limit still remains in effect for any events held indoors.
“The chances for spreading the virus are significantly greater in these circumstances,” Cooper said Tuesday, explaining why indoor services were still restricted.
Churches can also continue to hold ‘parking lot’ services at the building, provided that the congregation stays in their vehicles and no more than 10 people are out at any time. That means the pastor can preach from the church steps and a small choir could sing. But instead of being in the pews, people just have to sit in their cars to listen.
Q. Can we start socializing with people again?
Yes, again with some restrictions. Under Phase I, gatherings are limited to 10 people, but anyone can socialize with friends as long as they’re outdoors and remain six feet apart.
Q. Can I leave home if I just want to take a walk?
A. Actually, yes you can. The NC Health Department went a bit beyond that, suggesting that people also walk their pets and go out jogging, hiking or biking, in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle. In order to follow the current quarantine order, resident just have to “ maintain social distancing and continue to take protective measures to maintain their personal health and wellbeing,” the statement said. Basically, you just need to stay six feet away from anyone not in your house when you’re outdoors.
That includes being able to go to any open outdoor recreation areas or public parks. Public playgrounds, however, are closed for the present time, as are some state parks.
Q. Are camps allowed to reopen?
The answer is no. In a followup after the press conference, the governor’s staff explained that overnight camps may not reopen under Phase I. North Carolina is waiting for guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and the American Camp Association to see if camps can reopen in Phase 2.
