North Carolina Open Thread 3/29/2020
254th Weekly Edition
This is a weekly feature of North Carolina Blue. We hope this regular platform gives readers interested in North Carolina politics a place to share their knowledge, insight and inspiration as we work on taking back our state from some of the most extreme Republicans in the nation. Please join us every week as we try to Connect, Unite, Act with our North Carolina Daily Kos community. You can also join the discussion in four other weekly State Open Threads.
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1:00pm EDT 3/22/2020
NC governor issues statewide stay-at-home order
Updated 10:32 p.m. Friday
By Matthew Burns, WRAL.com senior producer/politics editor
RALEIGH, N.C. — Faced with a growing number of cities and counties across North Carolina enacting local stay-at-home orders to curb the spread of the new coronavirus, Gov. Roy Cooper on Friday issued a statewide order.
"It's what we have to do to save lives," Cooper said at a news conference. "These are tough directives, but I need you to take them seriously. Although we're physically apart, we must take these steps together in spirit."
The order will take effect at 5 p.m. Monday and will run for 30 days.
What the stay-at-home order means
Gatherings of more than 10 people are prohibited, although that limit doesn't apply to shopping centers, medical facilities and airports. Up to 50 people are allowed at funerals. People can go out to buy groceries, pick up prescriptions, visit a health care provider, exercise, care for family members, volunteer to serve the needy or visit a place of worship. "Essential" businesses that can continue to operate include health care providers, supermarkets, pharmacies, gas stations, law enforcement, utilities, maintenance workers, human services organizations, farms and other food and beverage producers, banks and insurers, shipping, transportation, hotels, mortuaries and professional services, such as lawyers and accountants. Restaurants can continue to provide drive-thru, takeout and delivery services. Pet supply stores, electronics stores, lawn and garden shops, liquor stores and bookstores that sell education materials also can remain open. All businesses that operate need to practice "social distancing" among employees and customers. Violations of the order are punishable as a Class 2 misdemeanor.Cooper has been expanding restrictions gradually in recent weeks as the viral outbreak grew, first closing schools for two weeks and limiting gatherings to 100 people. Later, he extended the school closures to mid-May and tightened the limit on gatherings to 50 people. He also banned dine-in service at bars and restaurants and closed entertainment venues and businesses such a barbershops and hair and nail salons where it would be impossible for workers to remain at least 6 feet from customers.
Official proclamation in PDF can be found at the headline link above.
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