Gov. Cooper
March 23. By Dave Yochum. Gov. Roy Cooper loosened a variety of COVID-19 restrictions, while still requiring masks and social distancing in public settings. He made the announcement during a 2 pm press conference today where he also lifted the 11 pm curfew for on-site alcohol consumption.
It was a year ago that businesses began closing because of the coronavirus.
Barber shops, salons, museums and other retail can open at 100 percent.
Restaurants, breweries, wineries and gyms can open at 75 percent capacity beginning Friday.
Venues like restaurants, breweries, wineries, amusement parks, gyms and pools can open at 100 percent capacity outdoors.
“With North Carolina’s COVID-19 key metrics improving and vaccinations increasing, we can responsibly use our dimmer switch approach to easing restrictions guided by science and data.”
—Dr. Mandy K. Cohen, NCDHHS Secretary
All businesses must continue to maintain the six feet of distance requirement between patrons and implement other safety protocols as they expand their capacity.
Cooper’s new order allows bars, conference centers and reception venues, sports arenas, and other venues for live performances to increase capacity up to 50 percent indoors and outdoors.
Indoors and Outdoors up to 100% Capacity
Museums and Aquariums
Retail Businesses
Salons, personal care and grooming businesses, tattoo parlors
Indoors up to 75% and Outdoors up to 100% Capacity
Restaurants
Breweries, Wineries, and Distilleries
Recreation (bowling, skating, rock climbing)
Fitness and Physical Activity Facilities (gyms, yoga studios, fitness centers)
Pools
Amusement Parks
Indoors and Outdoors up to 50% Capacity
Bars
Movie Theaters
Gaming Facilities
Meeting, Reception, and Conference Spaces
Lounges (including tobacco) and Night Clubs
Auditoriums, Arenas, and other venues for live performances
Sports Arenas and Fields (includes professional, collegiate, and amateur)
Activities and settings are lower risk when they involve interacting with fewer people, being outside, keeping masks on the entire time, keeping interactions with people short (under 15 minutes), staying physically distant, and avoiding singing, yelling, and cheering
