Here's What You Can Do Under NC's Coronavirus Stay-At-Home Order

NORTH CAROLINA — North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper issued a stay-at-home order that went into effect this week for all residents to help slow the spread of the coronavirus outbreak. The 30-day order went into effect March 30 until April 29, unless changed or rescinded by another executive order.

The number of novel coronavirus cases in North Carolina jumped to 1,498, and is now linked to at least eight deaths and 157 hospitalizations, state public health officials said Tuesday morning.

The statewide order means residents are directed to stay in their homes unless they need to leave for essential activities, such as for jobs, food, medicine, outdoor exercise or to help others, Cooper said. As part of Executive Order No. 121, Cooper also said gatherings needed to be no more than 10 people.

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“Though it is difficult we must do this to slow the disease spread,” Cooper said. “We need our medical system to be able to care for the friends and family we know will become seriously ill from the virus.”

State and local law enforcement have the authority to enforce the order, however North Carolina has not banned interstate travel or closed roads and highways. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol said Monday it would only conduct traffic stops if reasonable suspicion exists.

While Cooper wants everyone in North Carolina to stay home to slow down the spread of the coronavirus, there are certain exceptions where residents can leave their homes, such as:

• Restaurants that provide takeout, drive-thru or delivery food
• Grocery stores
• ABC stores and beer and wine stores
• Doctors and other health care providers
• Pharmacies
• Hardware stores
• Post offices
• Office supply stores
• Gas stations and convenience stores
• Veterinarians and pet supply stores
• Hotels, airlines, buses, taxis, and ride-sharing services
• Places of worship
• Child care providers

While exercise is permitted under the order, playground equipment is closed and group exercise such as basketball or volleyball is discouraged.

The ban on mass gatherings of 10 or more applies to weddings and church services. Religious functions are allowed as long as there are fewer than 10 participants and funerals may have up to 50 people — as long as social distancing can be maintained.

The order also prohibits visitation at healthcare facilities unless seeking services, skilled nursing facility, nursing homes, residential care facilities or long term care facility. End-of-life visits, however, are permitted in these facilities.

“As consumers, we are expecting folks to stay at home unless you are getting groceries, picking up medications or taking a walk outside. Essential businesses that continue to stay open need to practice those social distancing measures,” NC DHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen said Monday.

Globally, more than 838,000 people have been infected and at least 40,708 people have died from the new coronavirus, Johns Hopkins reported Tuesday afternoon. Of that total, nearly 177,452 cases have been confirmed in the United States.

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