Coronavirus Updates

Current Restrictions

The table below provides a general summary of restrictions imposed under recent executive orders as well as frequently asked questions and relevant guidance from the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services. Additional guidance is also available.

  • Under Executive Order 181 and extended under Executive Orders 188 and 189, North Carolina remains under restrictions, as outlined in the table below, until at least 5 p.m. Feb. 28, 2021.
  • Executive Order 183, which has been extended under Executive Order 190, is in effect until at least March 31, 2021.
Executive Order Summary More Information

Executive Order 183

Extended under Executive Order 190
  • Establishments holding certain permits from the ABC Commission, including restaurants, hotels, private clubs, private bars and some distilleries, are allowed to sell mixed beverages to-go or for delivery. These businesses, delivery service providers that contract with these businesses, and purchasers of mixed beverages to-go must follow the restrictions in the order and any additional restrictions and guidance established by the ABC Commission.
  • The sale of alcohol for on-site consumption must still cease at 9 p.m., but businesses subject to the order may continue to sell mixed beverages for off-site consumption until their business closes and in accordance with other applicable laws and regulations.

Executive Order 181
– English
– Spanish

Extended under:

– Executive Order 188
– Executive Order 189
  • Implements a modified stay at home order from 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.
  • Requires nighttime closure from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. for certain businesses and activities
  • Prohibits the sale and service of alcohol for onsite consumption from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Executive Order 180
– English
– Spanish
  • Requires face coverings in all public indoor settings, including fitness facilities and restaurants, where non-household members are present
  • Retail business locations with more than 15,000 square feet of interior space must have a worker at each public entrance open to the public to enforce face covering requirements

Executive Order 176
– English
– Spanish
  • Extends the “Phase 3” order (Executive Order 169) 
  • Reduces indoor gathering limits to 10 people

Executive Order 169
– English
– Spanish
  • Revises prohibitions and restrictions that move the state into “Phase 3” measures
Executive Order 153
– English
– Spanish
  • Requires restaurants, breweries, wineries, distilleries and other establishments that serve alcohol for on-site consumption to cease alcohol sales and service each day from 11 p.m. until 7 a.m.
 

The state’s position on travel is:

North Carolina is urging residents and visitors to be prepared at take precautions relating to the coronavirus (COVID-19). The state recommends that everyone monitor the NC Department of Health and Human Services’ special webpage on the situation. Events in various areas of the state are being cancelled or postponed as a best practice effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Visitors and travelers in and through the state should check with their lodging provider and event organizer before departing on a trip to North Carolina. Visitors to the state should take the same precautions that are recommended for traveling during the flu season. Those precautions are even more valuable this year. Visitors who are at “high risk” of severe illness from COVID-19 should avoid large groups of people as much as possible. If travelers need more information on North Carolina relating to COVID-19, they can go to https://www.ncdhhs.gov/coronavirus.

Residents and visitors can find information on the COVID-19 from the
NC Department of Health and Human Services

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

For those traveling, please follow these important recommendations:

  • Do not travel if you are sick.
  • Those at high risk should avoid large groups of people as much as possible. This includes gatherings such as concert venues, conventions, church services, sporting events, and crowded social events. People at high risk should also avoid cruise travel and non-essential air travel.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; going to the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food.
  • If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are ill.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and throw it away. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands.
  • If you feel well, it is not necessary to wear a facemask. Facemasks are most effective when used by people who are already ill to prevent them from spreading viruses and other germs.

US Travel Association-Emergency Preparedness & Response

Links with factual updates:

Best practices:

Many of our large Accommodations receive guidance from corporate as to the proper sanitization and disinfecting protocol during times like this. For others, follow CDC guidance located here. Ensure you clean items including (but not limited to): door handles, telephones, toilets, light switches, remote controls, blowdryers, HVAC controls, faucet handles, and other surfaces frequently. Link to ECOLab’s full guidance for Hospitality [download PDF].

Restaurants may consider moving items touched by consumers to behind the counter. This keeps customers from touching multiple cups, coffee lids, straws, utensils, and other items and the potential spread of germs where multiple items are handled. By handing one to a customer it may help the spread of germs. Also offering a separate new cup for a refill may be feasible. A link to ServSafe’s Coronavirus information is located here.  More resources as they become available for restaurants by the National Restaurant’s Association are online at this link. ECOLab has industry-specific information online here. Link to Restaurants [download PDF]; link to Hospitality [download PDF]; link to Food & Beverage Industry [download PDF