CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Mecklenburg County Health Director Gibbie Harris says a modified COVID-19 health Directive will replace the one scheduled to expire on February 2nd as coronavirus case rates remain high in the county.
Health officials say the decision to extend the Directive comes after Governor Roy Cooper’s announcement to extend the modified Stay Home Order in North Carolina earlier this week.
“While our metrics have improved over the three weeks that the Directive has been in place, the number of cases, hospitalizations and positivity rate remain high,” said Public Health Director Gibbie Harris. “I am grateful to our community for their commitment to following the Directive, but we need to remain vigilant with the prevention measures that are necessary to continue to move our community in the right direction.”
Health officials say modifications to the original Directive include:
- Individuals should continue to utilize full-virtual options where in-person activity is not required. For schools, the CDC study released earlier this week, indicates that with appropriate safety measures in place schools can be a safe location for students to learn and for school staff to support that learning. Public Health continues to be supportive of in classroom learning as the optimal options for our youth.
- Individuals should avoid recreational activities in which they may have close contact with others. We know how important the ability to be outside is to the mental health of our community. However, recreational activities should only be shared with the individuals you live with.
Officials ask residents to continue to follow actions outlined in the original Directive including:
- Only leave your home for essential activities and remain at home between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., unless an exception as set forth in the Governor’s Executive Order applies.
- Avoid leaving your home if you are over 65 or at high-risk for developing serious illness.
- Avoid any non-essential travel.
- Avoid gathering with individuals that you do not live with.
- WEAR, a cloth face covering, WAIT 6 feet apart and avoid close contact, and WASH your hands often or use hand sanitizer.
- Quarantine and get tested if you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 or have symptoms of COVID-19.
- Answer the call and participate in contact tracing to protect against further spread if you receive a call or text from Mecklenburg County Public Health.
- Get a flu shot and get the get the COVID-19 vaccine, when it is available to you.
Click here to find out more about Gov. Cooper’s extended modified Stay At Home order.
