Phase 1 Reopening Of North Carolina: 6 Things To Know

NORTH CAROLINA — Earlier this week, North Carolina's Gov. Roy Cooper announced what some North Carolina residents have been waiting to hear: A plan for the first steps of reopening the state. But it won't all happen right away. North Carolina has been largely shut down since March, when schools, bars and restaurants and non-essential businesses shut down to in-person classes and customers.

On Friday, May 8 at 5 p.m., a new, modified stay-at-home order will go into effect and will remain in effect through May 22. The new order still encourages residents to stay home when they can, but will allow parks and trails, as well as most businesses to reopen. Bars, gyms and salons will remain closed.

But what about reopening everything? When will that happen?

The answer, according to Cooper, is not anytime soon — and the next phase of reopening won't be until the end of the month for certain. He announced a three-phase plan to reopen North Carolina that will happen based on the trajectory of COVID-like syndromic cases, the percent of positive cases compared to the total number of tests and the number of hospitalizations.

Here are six things to know about the new modified stay-at-home order that goes into effect Friday at 5 p.m.:

1) You will have a few more opportunities to leave your house.

North Carolina has "flattened the curve," according to North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy Cohen, which means rate of infection is beginning to slow and stabilize — not enough to fully reopen, but enough so that the stay-at-home order has been modified.

That means some retail businesses that were previously categorized as "non-essential" can reopen, but only with 50 percent capacity and with frequent cleaning and social distancing.

Remaining closed, however, are restaurant dining areas, movie theaters and personal care establishments such as salons or barbershops.

State parks are encouraged to reopen, however playgrounds will remain closed.

Childcare facilities, which had previously only been allowed to remain open for childcare workers, will not be open to working parents or those looking for work.

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2) You are encouraged to wear a mask when you leave your house.

Evidence shows that COVID-19 is transmitted when people are in close contact, and even when those who are infected are not showing symptoms. Wearing a face mask may help reduce potential spread.

Wearing a mask, however, doesn't replace the need to continue social distancing of at least six feet from others, washing hands frequently and remaining home when possible, officials said.

There are some caveats, however. State public health officials say a face mask isn't needed when exercising outside and socially distanced from others. Also, they are not recommended for children under 2 years of age.

"Covering your face is about helping others," DHHS said. "By covering your face when you go out for essential reasons, you are being a good neighbor and community member."

You can learn more about making your own cloth face mask here.

3) Mass gatherings continue to be limited.

Under the new order, mass gatherings continue to be limited to no more than 10 people, however outdoor gatherings, such as in parks, will be allowed.

Church services will be allowed, but in outdoor settings only.

4) We could move backwards.

If North Carolina starts seeing a new spike in coronavirus cases, restrictions could be put back in place, Cooper said.

What could cause the state or a region to regress to a previous phase? With DHHS closely monitoring data and information from local health departments and regional health care councils, these things could prompt Illinois to move backwards:

• Sustained rise in lab-confirmed tests
• Sustained rise in COVID-like illnesses reported over 14 days
• Sustained rise in percent of tests returning positive
• Sustained increase in hospital admissions for COVID-19 like illness

"This order is set to expire on May 22, but if our indicators are not in the right place, we'll extend Phase 1 longer than two weeks," Cooper said. "We are easing restrictions in a data-driven way."

5) When will schools reopen?

Short answer: Aug. 17.

Recent coronavirus relief bills passed in Raleigh stipulate the mid-August start date for school calendars, which is about a week earlier than planned for many districts, as a compromise between districts that wanted to more instruction time with students and businesses seeking to recoup losses through summer revenue, WFAE reported.

School districts are also required to submit plans for remote instructions to the State Board of Education for the 2020-2021 school year. The upcoming school year will also be five days longer than the standard 185 days.

6) Where can I get a COVID-19 vaccine?

North Carolina pharmacists will be allowed to administer a COVID-19 vaccine once it's developed and approved, according to the recently passed coronavirus relief bill passed in the state Senate.

How long will it take for a vaccine to be created and approved? While multiple companies around the world are working on one, it's going to take a while — possibly 12 to 18 months, according to most reports.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said he anticipates there will be another wave of coronavirus in the fall or winter.

Gregory Poland, an expert with the Infectious Diseases Society of America, told MarketWatch he doesn't believe there will be a vaccine before the coronavirus resurgence.

"We will not have a vaccine by next winter," he said.

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