COVID-19
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Media Release COVID-19 - October 19, 2020
Governor Cooper Announces Applications Open for New Rent and Utility Assistance Program Read on... -
Media Release COVID-19 - October 17, 2020
Can a Cleaner, Disinfected House Keep You Healthier? Read on... -
Media Release COVID-19 - October 18, 2020
Rowan County COVID-19 Testing for October 19th to October 23rd Read on...
Executive Order 169: Phase 3
On September 30, 2020, Governor Cooper signed Executive Order 169 (PDF), which contains revised restrictions to move the state into Phase 3 measures. Face coverings are still mandatory for anyone over the age of 5. Limits on mass gatherings remain at 25 for indoor and 50 for outdoor.
Executive Order 163: Phase 2.5, Secretarial Order No. 3
On September 1, 2020, Governor Cooper signed Executive Order 163 (PDF), which contains revised prohibitions and restrictions that move the state in Safer at Home Phase 2.5 measures. Face covering mandates and other prevention measures remain in place.
On September 1, Dr. Mandy Cohen also signed Secretarial Order 3 (PDF) regarding nursing home visitation.
Executive Order 147: Extension of Phase 2 Order and New Measures to Save Lives in the COVID-19 Pandemic
On June 24, 2020, Governor Cooper signed Executive Order 147 (PDF), which extends Executive Order 141’s Safer At Home restrictions and requires people, with some exceptions, to wear face coverings in public when social distancing is not possible.
View Executive Order 147 FAQs (PDF)
Executive Order 141: Easing Restrictions on Travel, Business Operations, and Mass Gatherings
On May 20, 2020, Governor Cooper signed Executive Order 141 (PDF), which lifts the statewide Stay at Home Order and moves the state to a Safer At Home recommendation.
- View Staying Ahead of the Curve Phase Comparison Chart (PDF)
- View Phase 2 frequently asked questions
- View public health guidance for Phase 2
Executive Order 138: Easing Restrictions on Travel, Business Operations, and Mass Gatherings
On May 5, 2020, Governor Cooper signed Executive Order 138 (PDF), which eases restrictions on travel, business operations, and mass gatherings.
View Executive Order 138 FAQs (PDF)
View Phase 1 Side-by-Side Comparison to Current Restrictions (PDF)
Executive Order 134: Extension of Stay at Home Order
On April 23, 2020, Governor Cooper signed Executive Order 134 (PDF), which extends the Stay at Home Order until May 8, 2020. Orders limiting mass gatherings, requiring social distancing, restricting visitation at long-term care facilities, closing dine-in for restaurants, and closure of other non-essential businesses have also been extended through May 8, 2020.
Executive Order 131: Social Distancing, Long-Term Care Rules, and Unemployment Benefits Process
On April 9, 2020, Governor Cooper took action to the address the spread of COVID-19 by issuing stronger social distancing requirements and speeding up the process to get benefits to people out of work through Executive Order No. 131(PDF).
This Order offers clear requirements that essential businesses must implement in order to safeguard the health of customers and employees. Some of the directives include:
- Setting limits of how many people can be in a store at one time, 5 people per 1,000 square feet of retail space or 20% of fire marshal posted occupancy limits
- Marking 6 feet of distance for areas where people gather like checkout lines
- Requiring specific cleaning measures for retail stores
The Order encourages:
- Implementing hygiene recommendations for employees and customers, like hand sanitizer at the doors and face coverings for workers
- Establishing designated shopping times designated for high-risk groups
- Creating barriers between customers and employees at checkout to lower the risk of required interactions
View Executive Order 131 FAQs (PDF)
Executive Order 124: Prohibiting Utility Shut-offs and Fees
On March 31, 2020, Governor Cooper signed into action Executive Order 124 (PDF) directing utilities to give residential customers at least six months to pay outstanding bills and prohibiting them from collecting fees, penalties or interest for late payment.
Executive Order 121: Stay at Home
On Friday, March 27, 2020, Governor Cooper signed into action Executive Order 121 (PDF). The provisions of this order are effective Monday, March 30, 2020, at 5 p.m. and continue through April 29, 2020, unless otherwise extended. The order provides the following guidance:
- Prohibition of mass gatherings is for more than 10 persons
- Non-essential businesses are ordered to close
- People should stay at their residence and limit social interactions and travel for essential activities or essential business purposes.
- 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.
View Executive Order 121 FAQs (PDF)
Executive Order 120: Limitations on Mass Gatherings, Restrictions on Venues & Long Term Care Facilities, & Extension of School Closure Date
On March 23, 2020, Governor Cooper signed into action Executive Order 120 (PDF), which will take effect at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 25, 2020. The order provides the following guidance:
- Prohibition of mass gatherings is for more than 50 persons
- Entertainment facilities (bingo parlors, ice skating rinks, gyms, theaters, etc.) are ordered to close at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 25, 2020
- Personal care and grooming businesses (barber shops, salons, tattoo parlors, etc.) are also ordered to close
- Appropriate local governmental agencies are directed to continue to serve and protect the public
- Long term care facilities must restrict visitation of all visitors and non-essential health care personnel except for certain compassionate care situations
- Public school closures are extended until at least May 15, 2020
View Executive Order 120 FAQs (PDF)
Executive Order 118: Restaurant & Bar Restrictions
In response to questions regarding Executive Order 118, a set of Frequently Asked Questions was issued on March 20th.
- Center for Disease Control (CDC) Website
- CDC Guide: How to Protect Yourself
- CDC Guide: What to Do When You are Sick
- COVID-19 Patient Guidance - March 23, 2020 (PDF)
- COVID-19 Telehealth Information (PDF)
- Directory of Open Businesses in Rowan County
- Economic Resources for Rowan County
- Governor Cooper's Stay Ahead of the Curve: 3-Phase Plan (PDF)
- HIPPA Guidance for COVID-19 (PDF)
- NC Department of Health and Human Service’s Coronavirus Webpage
General Recommendations
North Carolina Division of Public Health recommends everyone continue taking precautions to protect themselves and others from the spread of respiratory illnesses, which includes COVID-19.
- Wash hands frequently with soap and water, and for at least 20 seconds each time.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Limiting the exposure of your nose, mouth and eyes to unwashed hands can help to protect from the spread of all germs and illnesses.
- Avoid close contact with people who are ill and stay home if you are ill.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
- Do not reuse tissue after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces that are frequently touched.
All North Carolinians can better prepare for COVID-19 by getting up-to-date information directly from reliable sources like North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Be thoughtful about what you read or hear about the virus and make sure you are separating rumor from fact before you act. For more information, please explore the resources on this page.