On Tuesday May 5th, Governor Cooper modified North Carolina’s Stay At Home Executive Order, transitioning the state to Phase 1 of slowly easing COVID-19 restrictions. Executive Order 138 goes into on Friday, May 8 at 5 pm.
Highlights of Phase 1 include:
- Any retail business may open at 50 percent capacity. Businesses will be required to practice social distancing, perform frequent cleanings, provide hand sanitizer when available, screen workers for symptoms and more.
- People may leave their homes for commercial activity at any business that is open.
- Certain businesses remain closed, including bars, personal care businesses, entertainment venues, and gyms. Restaurants may only continue to serve customers for drive-through, take-out and delivery.
- Teleworking is still encouraged for businesses that can practice it.
- Cloth face coverings are recommended when you leave the house and may be near other people who are not family or household members.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has created materials to help businesses navigate Phase 1, please click here. These materials including:
- NCDHHS Checklist for Business Owners
- Interim Guidance for Owners, Staff, and Patrons of Businesses
- Symptom Screening Checklist
- Templates to Meet Required Signage
DHHS also previewed a new campaign, Know Your Ws! While North Carolinians should still stay home, if they go out, they should know their Ws: Wear. Wait. Wash.
- Wear a face covering,
- Wait 6 feet apart from other people.
- Wash your hands often and
A Know Your Ws flyer is available in English and Spanish.