Gov. Cooper's statewide 'Stay at Home' order in effect

Gov. Roy Cooper is ordering all people in the state to stay home to help battle the coronavirus.

The mandate took effect Monday at 5:00 p.m.

On Friday, March 27, 2020 Governor Roy Cooper signed Executive Order 121, ordering North Carolinians to remain in their homes except for performing essential work and essential activities such as taking care of others, obtaining necessary supplies, and for health and safety purposes.

This Stay at Home Order will help slow the spread of COVID-19 and prevent the medical system from being overwhelmed by keeping individuals from being exposed to the virus and keeping those who have the virus from spreading it to others.

Below are frequently asked questions and answers. In addition, individuals should check with local governments to determine whether additional restrictions have been imposed in their local jurisdictions to limit the spread of COVID-19. Please note that Executive Order 121 modifies some sections of previous Executive Orders, but sections not modified are still in effect.

This information is subject to change in light of new CDC guidance and additional Executive Orders or local government declarations.

This Order permits the following businesses to remain open:

For a full list of essential businesses, please see the Order.

It means people should stay at their residence and limit social interactions and travel for essential activities or essential business purposes.

The Order takes effect on Monday, March 30 at 5:00PM.

This Order is valid for 30 days through April 29, 2020 but can be revised or extended.

This Order is mandatory. All persons and other entities are required to comply if they do not fall within the exemptions that are specified in the Order.

Governor Cooper is seeking voluntary cooperation from all state residents and businesses to ensure the health and safety of our communities. If voluntary cooperation is not achieved, state and local law enforcement officers have the authority to enforce the Order. Various local counties and cities have issued their own shelter in place orders.

People in North Carolina must abide by this statewide Order.To the extent that a local order contains more restrictive requirements, the more restrictive local Order must be followed.

Individuals may leave their homes to care for a family member or friend, or to help their family member or friend get essential goods or receive necessary health care. Individuals should not visit with friends or family members if there is no urgent need.

Individuals may leave their homes to receive necessary medical care. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, please follow

provided by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.If you have mild symptoms, stay home and call your doctor.

People are encouraged to maintain healthy lifestyles, including outdoor recreational activity, such as walking pets and jogging. While exercising, individuals should maintain social distancing and continue to take protective measures to maintain their personal health and wellbeing.

As long as the group abides by the mass gatherings provision in the Order (no more than 10 people) and maintains adequate social distancing, this activity is not prohibited,but it is strongly discouraged.

Individuals whose residences are unsafe or become unsafe, such as victims of domestic violence, are permitted and urged to leave their home and stay at a safe alternate location, which can include a hotel or shelter.

Unless your local jurisdiction has closed parks, people may go to public parks and open outdoor recreation areas while following social distancing and mass gathering guidelines. Public playgrounds and their equipment are closed for use statewide.

Businesses prohibited from operating under Executive Order 120 shall remain closed.

Essential businesses as defined in the Order may remain open. Other non-essential businesses must remain closed unless permitted by the Secretary of Revenue. Establishments required to close under previous executive orders must remain closed.

Businesses and not-for-profit organizations that are deemed essential as defined by the Order do not need any documentation from the State to continue operations.

Employees are not required to have specific documentation to report to work under this Order.

If your business is not included in the list of Essential Businesses and Operations and you believe it is essential, you can submit an application to the North Carolina Department of Revenue (NCDOR).NCDOR will review applications to determine whether the business is necessary to properly respond to this COVID-19 pandemic. NCDOR will post on its website a point of contact and procedures for businesses seeking an essential designation.

Businesses that are required to cease all activities are still allowed to continue Minimum Basic Operations. These operations include activities necessary to maintain the value of the business’s inventory; preserve the condition of the business’s physical plant and equipment; ensure security; process payroll and employee benefits, or related functions; and, activities to support employees who are working remotely. However, employees must comply with social distancing requirements, to the extent possible, while carrying out such operations.

No.

No. Although childcare providers are urged to remain open for first responders and essential employees, they are also open to the general public.All open child care providers must follow the NCDHHS emergency child care operations and financing guidance.

Religious gatherings are subject to the mass gathering ban and may not have more than 10 people. Participants should practice social distancing.

Weddings are subject to the mass gathering ban and may not have more than 10 people. Participants should practice social distancing.

Funerals are time-sensitive events and may not have more than 50 people. Participants should practice social distancing.

The Order allows individuals to attend their places of worship if they follow the mass gathering ban and do not have more than 10 people assembled. Social distancing should be practiced. Places of worship are encouraged to stream their services online to accommodate people complying with the Order.

Car dealerships,and other places that sell automobiles,are essential businesses that may provide relief for those who have transportation issues during the emergency and are permitted to remain open.

Yes. The postal service and private mail and delivery services are essential businesses and will remain open.

Group counseling sessions are subject to the mass gathering ban and may not have more than 10 people. Participants attending in person should practice social distancing. Group counseling services are urged to conduct meetings remotely if they are equipped to do so. Groups should make accommodations for remote support to the maximum extent feasible.

You may visit a hospital or other healthcare facility only to obtain health care services and supplies.Do not visit a nursing home, skilled nursing facility, residential care facility or any other long term care facility unless it is an end-of-life visit.

Yes. To the extent possible, maintain social distancing with individuals other than your child and limit meetings to places and activities that are permitted under this Order, such as outdoor parks.

Businesses have been encouraged to implement remote working policies for their employees. If you have been designated essential by your employer, you should continue to go to work and practice social distancing to the extent possible.

Governor Cooper is seeking voluntary cooperation from all state residents and businesses to ensure the health and safety of our communities. If voluntary cooperation is not achieved, state and local law enforcement officers have the authority to enforce the Order.

Gun stores implementing social distancing requirements for employees and customers as defined in the order may remain open.

Golf courses implementing social distancing requirements for employees and customers as defined in the order may remain open.

A mass gathering is defined as no more than ten (10) people.