Gov. Roy Cooper at Dec. 8 press conference
Dec. 8. By Dave Yochum. With the NC Dept. of Health & Human Services reporting record increases of COVID-19, NC Gov. Roy Cooper this afternoon said “we have to act now to save lives, preserve hospital capacity and save our economy.” He issued a new stay at home order requiring North Carolinians to stay at home between 10 pm and 5 am.
The new order, which goes into effect Friday, requires businesses, including restaurants, bars and entertainment venues, to close by 10 pm. Alcohol sales must end by 9 pm.
The new order will be in place until at least Jan. 8, 2021. For an FAQ, click here.
“We will do more if our trends do not improve, including shopping and retail capacity as well as indoor dining,” Cooper said.
The NCDHHS reported more than 6,000 new cases of the coronavirus on both Saturday and Sunday as well as hospitalizations at a record 2,373, up 183 from yesterday.
Mecklenburg County, meanwhile, has substantial community spread of the coronavirus.
High numbers still don’t reflect Thanksgiving
Cohen: ‘6,000 new cases a day is really, really worrisome’
“The numbers likely do not even reflect the impact of Thanksgiving gatherings,” NCDHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen said. “Act now,” she added, by practicing the 3Ws, avoiding traveling and gatherings.
On Nov. 11 the NCDHHS reported a then-shocking number of 3,000 new cases.
Travel to and from work; to obtain food, medical care, fuel or social services; or to take care of a family member is exempted.
“We already have strong safety protocols and capacity limitations in place – including a statewide mask requirement. With this additional action beginning Friday, we hope to get these numbers down,” Cooper said.
‘Getting people home’
“Our new modified Stay At Home order aims to limit gatherings and get people home where they are safer, especially during the holidays. It’s also a reminder that we must be vigilant the rest of the day – wearing a face mask when we are with people we don’t live with, keeping a safe distance from others and washing our hands a lot.”
Deaths due to the coronavirus rose today by 45 statewide, to 5,605.
