North Carolina Coronavirus Updates — September 2, 2020 | Eastern North Carolina Now

Press Release:


    After careful review of the data and trends, Governor Cooper and Dr. Mandy Cohen, Secretary of NCDHHS, announced that North Carolina will enter Phase 2.5 this Friday, September 4th at 5 pm. After a summer of hard work by North Carolinians practicing prevention measures, this is a modest step forward to ease some restrictions. Mask requirements will remain in effect.

    Under Phase 2.5:

• Mass gathering capacity will increase to 25 people indoors and 50 people outdoors and large event spaces remain subject to the mass gathering limits.
• Playgrounds can open.
• Museums and aquariums may open at 50% capacity.
• Gyms and indoor exercise facilities, such as yoga studios, martial arts, and rock climbing, as well as skating rinks, bowling alleys, indoor basketball, volleyball etc., may open at 30% capacity.
• Bars, nightclubs, movie theaters, indoor entertainment facilities, amusement parks, dance halls will remain closed.
• Large venues remain subject to the mass gathering limits.

    "A new phase is exactly when we need to take COVID-19 even more seriously we can do this safely only if we keep doing what we know works to prevent disease spread," said Governor Cooper. "Moving to Phase 2.5 means we can safely do a few more things while still fighting the virus as vigorously as ever."

    Also, NCDHHS issued an order allowing outdoor visitation at nursing homes or skilled nursing facilities. Effective through September 22, 2020, the Order outlines standards and requirements these facilities must meet to participate.

    Read the Executive Order and the FAQs for more information.

    Read the Press Release.

    Information is changing rapidly, this update is current as of August 14, 2020

    It's important to rely on trusted sources of information about COVID-19. Keep up with the latest information on Coronavirus in North Carolina HERE.

    Text COVIDNC to 898211 to receive general information and updates about COVID-19 and North Carolina's response.

    Dial 2-1-1 provides free, confidential information and is available 24 hours a day to help you find resources within your community. They can connect you with people and groups that can help with questions about access to food, shelter, health care, employment and child care.

    Families who need food assistance for their children can text FOODNC to 877-877 to find free meal sites in their communities.

    Make sure to prioritize your overall wellness and don't hesitate to seek additional help. Optum has a toll-free 24-hour Emotional Support Help Line at 866-342-6892 for people who may be experiencing anxiety or stress due to Coronavirus.

    You can track the disease in real time through the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services' COVID-19 NC Dashboard. It includes detailed information about the state's COVID-19 confirmed cases, hospital capacity and more.

    Prior to announcing Phase 2.5, Governor Cooper signed Executive Order 162 to continue to limit the sale of alcoholic drinks in North Carolina through October 2, 2020. Restaurants are required to end the sale of alcoholic beverages at 11 pm.

    Local government orders that end alcohol sales before 11 pm or that apply to other entities are still in effect.

    Read Executive Order 162.

    Read the Press Release.

    North Carolina families in need of childcare can call the child care hotline 1-888-600-1685 to be connected with child care options in their communities for school-age children up to age 12.

    "Remote learning and new school schedules present challenges if you are a working parent. This resource can help make sure children have safe, reliable care. We will continue working on ways we can help families through this difficult time," said Governor Cooper.

    The hotline is open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Licensed child care professionals meeting the NCDHHS health and safety guidelines are available to provide care through this service. For more information about child care during COVID-19, visit covid19.ncdhhs.gov/information/child-care/child-care-information-families.

    The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) has announced community free testing events in Edgecombe, Halifax, Hertford, Johnston, Northampton, Sampson and Wake counties. For an up-to-date list of events, visit the Community Testing Events page. People who may not currently have symptoms but may have been exposed to COVID-19 should get tested, especially people from historically marginalized communities.

    If someone tests positive for COVID-19, the COVID-19 Community Team will reach out to connect them with needed resources. People should answer when the Community Team reaches out, via phone, text from 45394, or email from NC-ARIAS-NoReply@dhhs.nc.gov with further instructions.

    Find a nearby testing site Find My Testing Place.

    For more information visit the NCDHHS FAQs about Testing and FAQs about Contact Tracing.

    Completing the census will help us count the number of people in our state, which is how the federal government divides tax dollars to states and communities. As of July, more than 40% of North Carolinians, over 4 million people, had not been counted, which could mean a loss of $7.4 billion dollars per year for North Carolina for health care, education, highways, and community and economic development is at risk.

    An incomplete count puts representation in Congress and and federal funding our state needs in jeopardy.

    The count is lagging behind in Eastern North Carolina where many of our military families live and where so many have been hit hard by recent storms. Encourage your friends, family, and neighbors to participate in the count. Census workers will begin knocking on doors on August 11th to ensure we all are counted.

    You can complete the 2020 Census safely at home online at my2020census.gov and by phone (844–330–2020 in English, 844–468–2020 in Spanish), or submit by mail.

    During this time it is imperative that everyone is informed about what is going on in our state. Governor Cooper's administration has been working to get information and resources translated for the Spanish speaking population in our state. Many of the Governor's press conferences, press releases, and executive orders are available in Spanish. Resources are also available in Spanish on the DHHS website.

Today, 65 years after the horrific lynching of Emmett Till, racism and violence toward Black people are still far too prevalent. As we reflect on this and other unjust killings, we must also listen to the people across our state and country calling for change and racial justice.

— Governor Roy Cooper (@NC_Governor) August 28, 2020