When can restaurants reopen? What about churches? Here are answers about NC’s new plan.
Gov. Roy Cooper on Thursday extended North Carolina’s stay-at-home order until at least May 8, keeping schools and non-essential businesses closed and continuing the ban on gatherings of 10 or more people in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
But Cooper also outlined a three-phase plan that will go into effect in the state once guidelines involving testing, tracing and data trends are met.
The plan would gradually return a bit of normalcy to life in North Carolina — meaning the state will not reopen all at once, but in stages. But all of that is still several weeks away.
Here are some questions and answers about reopening North Carolina.
Updated April 28, 2020
Q: What’s the earliest North Carolina could reopen?
A: North Carolina will not reopen all at once, but in stages. The earliest Phase 1 could be implemented is May 9, since Gov. Cooper’s stay-at-home order has been extended until May 8. But certain criteria must be met for that to happen.
Q: What will change in Phase 1?
A: We’ll still have a stay-at-home order in Phase 1, but it’ll be modified to allow more reasons for us to leave our homes. We can visit more retailers, such as book stores and clothing stores, but they will have to implement social-distancing and cleaning rules, just like those currently in place at grocery and hardware stores. Parks may also open with limits on the number of people who can gather there. Businesses will be encouraged to continue teleworking (working from home) when possible. We will live in Phase 1 for two or three weeks.
Q: When will restaurants and bars reopen?
A: Bars and restaurants are part of Phase 2, which means barring any spikes or setbacks in North Carolina’s coronavirus numbers, bars and restaurants could reopen by the end of May. Phase 2 won’t start until a minimum of two or three weeks after Phase 1. North Carolina’s bars and restaurants have been closed since March 17.
Q: When bars and restaurants open, will they be at full capacity?
A: No. When the state’s restaurants reopen, it won’t be business as usual for a while. According to Cooper’s plan, bars and restaurants will have to open at a limited capacity. At this point we don’t know whether that means a general cap on customers inside, a percentage of full capacity or exactly how the state is defining “limited.” Cooper said North Carolina could allow restaurants to increase capacity four to six weeks after reopening, during Phase 3.
Q: When can I get a haircut? When can I visit a nail salon?
A: Salons were not specifically mentioned in Gov. Cooper’s official presentation, but during a question and answer session, he included “hair salons and nail salons” in the group of businesses, along with restaurants, that can start to reopen during Phase 2, with reduced capacity and special social distancing measures. Phase 2 won’t start until a minimum of two or three weeks after Phase 1, barring any spikes or setbacks in coronavirus numbers, so that means likely toward the end of May.
Q: When can churches reopen?
A: Gatherings at houses of worship can resume in Phase 2, but with limited capacity. Barring any spikes or setbacks in North Carolina’s coronavirus numbers, churches could reopen by the end of May. Phase 2 won’t start until a minimum of two or three weeks after Phase 1.
Q: When will gyms reopen? What about youth sports leagues?
A: That is still undecided, according to a spokesperson from the NC Department of Health and Human Services. We asked about gyms and youth sports leagues and got this response: “Gyms and sports leagues have inherent difficulties with social distancing and are not included in Phase I of the plan. State health officials will continue to work with our partners and shareholders across the state to review data and determine a safe timeline for lifting restrictions. “
Q: When can we go to concerts, sporting events or movies?
A: This is also part of Phase 2. Gov. Cooper’s plan calls for entertainment venues to reopen at a reduced capacity during this phase. Barring any spikes or setbacks in North Carolina’s coronavirus numbers, entertainment venues could reopen by the end of May. Phase 2 won’t start until a minimum of two or three weeks after Phase 1. Cooper said North Carolina could allow venues to increase capacity four to six weeks after reopening, during Phase 3.
Q: What if my county has different rules?
A: Whoever has the stricter rules — whether it’s the state or your home county — those are the rules you must follow. Here’s a look at what Triangle counties are considering as far as individual stay-at-home orders.
Q: When can seniors and people with medical conditions go back out?
A: Even when the state enters Phase 2, which at the earliest could come toward the end of May, Gov. Cooper’s guidelines still encourage “vulnerable populations to continue staying home.” During Phase 3, which could come a minimum of four to six weeks after Phase 2, the guidelines call for lessening restrictions for vulnerable populations, but with “encouragement to continue practicing physical distancing.”
This story was originally published April 23, 2020 at 5:05 PM with the headline "When can restaurants reopen? What about churches? Here are answers about NC’s new plan.."
