Coronavirus: Mecklenburg County Issues Stay-At-Home Order

CHARLOTTE, NC — In an attempt to slow the spread of novel coronavirus throughout the Queen City region, the Mecklenburg County Government and City of Charlotte have issued a stay-at-home order for all Mecklenburg county residents, officials announced Tuesday afternoon.

The order will go into effect Thursday, March 26 at 8 a.m. and will likely be in effect at least three weeks.

“This order directs all Mecklenburg County residents to shelter at home and limit movements outside of their homes beyond essential needs,” the City of Charlotte said in making the announcement. “This order is valid through April 16, 2020, but will be regularly reviewed and evaluated and may be revised, amended, or extended accordingly, based upon recommendations by the Mecklenburg County Public Health Director and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Emergency Management.”

As of Tuesday afternoon, there were at least 459 cases and no deaths in North Carolina, according to Johns Hopkins, up from 297 positive cases reported Monday morning.

In Mecklenburg County, the number of cases had nearly doubled in a little over a day, to 142 up from 79 reported on Monday. County health officials said as many as a third of the cases come community spread.

Here’s what the Mecklenburg County Stay-At-Home order means, according to the City of Charlotte:
YOU CAN

• Go to the grocery, convenience or warehouse store
• Go to the pharmacy to pick up medications and other healthcare necessities
• Visiting a health care professional for medical services that cannot be provided virtually (call first)
• Go to a restaurant for take-out, delivery or drive-thru
• Care for or support a friend or family member
• Take a walk, ride your bike, hike, jog and be in nature for exercise – just keep at least six feet between you and others
• Walk your pets and take them to veterinarian if necessary
• Help someone to get necessary supplies
• Receive deliveries from any business which delivers

YOU SHOULD NOT

• Go to work unless you are providing essential services as defined by this Order
• Visit friends and family if there is no urgent need
• Maintain less than 6 feet of distance from others when you go out
• Visit loved ones in the hospital, nursing home, skilled nursing facility or other residential care facility, except for limited exceptions as provided on the facility websites
• Travel except for essential travel and activities

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