The Roy Cooper government on Wednesday announced significant restraints on business and other restrictions as COVID hospitalization rates19, deaths and positive cases continue to decline and stabilize across the state.
“After an alarmingly high number throughout the winter holidays, trends in North Carolina have slowed and stabilized,” Cooper said. “Hospitalizations have dropped to the lowest point since the beginning of Thanksgiving. The percentage of tests with positive results continues to fall. This is encouraging.”
Specifically, Cooper officially closed its non-essential closing businesses, such as gyms, restaurants and retail, at 10 p.m. This order, signed as a result of the increase on Thanksgiving and Christmas, also gave a left at 21:00 for alcohol sales.
Although non-essential businesses may remain open late, alcohol sales will still be subject to extinguishing, but this time two hours later, at 23:00
The changes will take effect on Friday and expire later in March.
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Radical changes are also being extended to bars and establishments where food sales account for less than 30% of sales. For the first time since March 2020, bars will be allowed to open at a capacity of 30% with a capacity of 250 people.
Gyms, museums, aquariums, barbershops, swimming pools, outdoor amusement parks, retail outlets, restaurants, breweries and wineries will be able to open to a capacity of 50% with health and safety protocols.
READ MORE: Cooper’s full executive order (.pdf)
Some companies that have been limited to operating outdoors at a capacity of 30% will still have that percentage, but will no longer have a ceiling of 100 people. This includes grounds and sports venues, stadiums, outdoor bars, outdoor amusement parks and other outdoor businesses.
The new order will also allow some interior companies to open to a capacity of 30%, with a capacity of 250 people. These businesses include bars and taverns, indoor amusement parks, cinemas, indoor sports arenas and more.
30% capacity limit (cannot exceed 250 people indoors)
- Bars
- Meeting, reception and conference spaces
- Lounges (including tobacco) and nightclubs
- Indoor areas of amusement parks
- Movie theaters
- Entertainment facilities (eg bingo halls, game units)
- Arenas and sports fields
- seats
Seats for indoor events with more than 5,000 seats can be exempted from the 250-person limit if they comply with additional safety measures with a capacity of up to 15%.
50% capacity limit
- restaurants
- Breweries, wineries, distilleries
- Fitness and physical activity facilities (eg gyms, bowling alleys, climbing facilities)
- Pools
- Museums and aquariums
- Retailers
- Outdoor areas of amusement parks
- Salons, Personal care, Tattoo parlors
“This is a huge, hard-fought victory,” said NCBATA President Zack Medford. “Relieving these restrictions would never have been possible without the tireless efforts of NCBATA members and allies over the past 343 days. We look forward to continuing to build on this success with the Governor’s Office and help restore our bar and taverns. after such a devastating year. “
“Reducing these restrictions will only work if we protect ourselves and others from this deadly virus,” Cooper said. “Order and our own common sense say that health and safety protocols must remain in place.”
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Dr. Mandy Cohen, NC Secretary for Health and Human Services, praised North Carolina’s efforts to slow the spread and keep up with “The 3 Ws,” which she credited for empowering the governor to begin. to ease restrictions.
Cohen warned, however, that trends, while positive, “are not yet where we need to be” in terms of viral spread.
Wednesday’s press conference took place on the same day the state opened vaccinations for teachers and other school staff. In Wake County, 10,000 school workers have already signed up for the waiting list.
Other key Group 3 workers will be eligible to sign up for appointments starting next month.
NC House Speaker Tim Moore, R-Cleveland, said after Wednesday’s session that he was “encouraged that the intention and action of the General Assembly led the governor in this direction” and said he was “glad” that Cooper did this step.
“We talked to the governor and shared our thoughts that we really need to reopen the state,” Moore said. “Trends are moving in the right direction, many of the restrictions go too far and we have businesses that are really suffering.”
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