CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Governor Roy Cooper announced Tuesday that North Carolina can now take a ‘modest’ step into ‘Safer at Home’ Phase 2.5 which will allow gyms and other establishments to reopen.
The new phase, which Gov. Cooper stated is due to stable coronavirus numbers, will begin starting Friday, Sept. 4th at 5 p.m. and will remain in effect until Oct. 2 at 5 p.m.
This announcement comes as Gov. Cooper announced Monday that the 11 p.m. curfew on alcohol sales at restaurants would be extended to October 2.
Mask mandates and other prevention methods remain in effect and are even more important to contain the virus, Cooper said.
“Safer at Home Phase 2.5 continues our state’s dimmer switch approach to easing some restrictions,” said Governor Cooper. “We can do this safely only if we keep doing what we know works — wearing masks and social distancing. In fact, a new phase is exactly when we need to take this virus even more seriously.”
Dr. Mandy Cohen, Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services shared an update on North Carolina’s data trends. Dr. Cohen explained that North Carolina has seen stability in key metrics.
Over the last 14 days the state has experienced a decline in hospitalizations and COVID-like illness. In the same time period, lab-confirmed cases and the percent of tests returning positive across the state remain stable. Although these numbers are still stable or declining, they remain high.
“As we take modest steps forward today, it’s important to remember that moving forward doesn’t mean letting up on slowing the spread of the virus. Our progress is fragile and we need to maintain focus on the 3Ws especially as we head into flu season,” said NCDHHS Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, MD.
Phase 2.5 means the following for North Carolina:
- Mass gathering limits will increase to 25 people indoors and 50 people outdoors from the current limit of 10 indoors and 25 outdoors.
- Playgrounds may open.
- Museums and aquariums may open at 50% capacity.
- Gyms and indoor exercise facilities, such as yoga studios, martial arts, and rock climbing, as well as skating rinks, bowling alleys, indoor basketball, volleyball etc., may open at 30% capacity.
- Bars, nightclubs, movie theaters, indoor entertainment facilities, amusement parks, dance halls will remain closed.
- Large venues remain subject to the mass gathering limits.
According to a news release, NCDHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen also issued a Secretarial Order allowing for outdoor visitation at nursing homes or skilled nursing facilities.
To participate, nursing homes must meet several requirements, including, but not limited, not having a current outbreak, having a testing plan and updated written Infection Control or Preparedness plan for COVID-19, and having adequate personal protective equipment.
The Secretarial Order is effective as of September 4 at 5 PM and remains in effect through September 22, 2020.
Watch the full COVID-19 update here:
Click here to watch it on Twitter.
For Additional Information:
Click here for more information on COVID-19 in North Carolina.
