Coronavirus: NC School Closures Extended Through May 15

NORTH CAROLINA — North Carolina public schools will be closed through May 15, Gov. Roy Cooper said Monday afternoon. The announcement represents an extension of the ongoing two-week closure for in-person instruction at public schools that began March 16.

Cooper also announced Monday he is signing an executive order that bans mass gatherings of 50 people or more as of 5 p.m. Wednesday. This new order, which ramps up a previous ban on groups of 100 or more, means temporary closure for businesses such as gyms, movie theaters, health clubs and more, he said.

“We want you to close as soon as possible, and the order takes effect Wednesday," he said. "Because of their inability to conduct social distancing, this order also closes hair and nail salons, barber shops and massage therapists as of 5 p.m. Wednesday.”

Both are steps meant to slow the spread of the new coronavirus in the state, he said.

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There were 297 presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 reported in 45 counties in North Carolina, the NC Department of Health and Human Services reported Monday morning.

As of Monday morning, 8,438 tests had been completed by the North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health and reporting hospital and commercial laboratories, and more than 10,000 tests are pending.

North Carolina public health officials are also asking residents to consider volunteering as health care workers.

“We are facing an unprecedented crisis from COVID-19 that has already had devastating consequences internationally,” NC DHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen said in an open letter to residents. “With the virus now spreading in North Carolina, we need to bolster our health care system to ensure we can care for those impacted by the virus. A crucial part of that effort is recruiting volunteers to supplement our health care workforce. We are asking for your help to meet these needs.”

The state is seeking volunteers in the following areas:

• Clinical, such as physicians, advanced care providers, nurses and EMS.
• Clinical support, such as pharmacy, imaging and respiratory care.
• Non-clinical support, such as facility management, safety and administrative.
• To provide medical supplies, such as personal protective equipment.

Anyone able to volunteer is asked to register through the NC Training, Exercise, and Response Management System (NC TERMS), which may be found here.

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