Work in Charlotte? What SC residents need to know about NC stay at home order
South Carolina residents who travel into North Carolina for work can continue to do so during North Carolina’s stay-at-home order, said officials with the CharMeck Joint Information Center.
Thousands of people who live in South Carolina commute daily to North Carolina; many from this region go into Mecklenburg County. People who live in Mecklenburg also come into York County to work.
Mecklenburg County officials initiated a stay-at-home order in Charlotte, and other municipalities and unincorporated areas, on March 26, according to The Charlotte Observer.
Governor Roy Cooper signed North Carolina’s state-wide order on March 27.
South Carolina does not have a stay-at-home order as of Thursday.
“Mecklenburg County residents are allowed to leave the county to conduct essential activities/operations,” reads an e-mail from officials with the center.
Essential businesses that remain open include restaurants offering drive-thru or pick up, grocery stores, beer and wine stores, pharmacies, healthcare providers, hardware stores, post offices, gas stations, pet supply stores and veterinarians, airlines and ride share services, child care providers and places of worship, according to the stay-at-home order.
Businesses have been encouraged to allow employees to work remotely or follow social distancing practices when remote work is not possible, according to the order. The order states that employees deemed essential can go to work.
Residents traveling into Mecklenburg County do not need documentation to show they are reporting for work at an essential business, officials with the center said.
Officials also said people in Mecklenburg County will not be pulled over related to the stay-at-home order. However, officials will follow up on reports of order violations.
“We are enforcing the order on a platform of education in Mecklenburg County. If we receive a report of a violation of the order we will follow up on the report,” reads the e-mail.
“We are asking everyone in Mecklenburg County to take the Stay at Home Order seriously and find a way to comply with it rather than look for loopholes. It is essential that everyone do their part to try to slow the spread of COVID-19 and flatten the curve. The more compliance we get now the quicker we can return to normal,” the e-mail continues.
This story was originally published April 2, 2020 at 3:45 PM.
