North Carolina Phase 3

Mount Holly Farmers Market

Governor Cooper has moved North Carolina into Phase 3 of easing restrictions imposed due to COVID19. Beginning today at 5:00 p.m., we will remain in this phase until at least October 23rd. Essentially Phase 3 enables meeting spaces to host functions (subject to restrictions), large outdoor venues of 10,000 or more capacity to open at 3% capacity, bars can only open for outside beverage consumption at 30% capacity or 100 people (whichever is less), movie theaters may open at 30% capacity, and amusement parks may open at 30% capacity, but only for outdoor attractions. All other restrictions in Phase 2.5 remain in effect during this phase.

Today marks day 134 of Safer at Home and day 191 of overall restrictions. The number of cases continues to be grim. To date, North Carolina has had 215,000 cases and 3,625 deaths. In the United States there have been 7.35 million cases and 208,000 deaths. Worldwide there have been 34.4 million cases and 1.03 million deaths. 

Today also marks the day that President Trump and his wife Melania announced that they have tested positive for the virus. It is an unfortunate turn of events, but perhaps just the thing that Americans need to hear to take a more proactive stance on keeping themselves and others safe from COVID. Too many people think this is either fake news or just a virus that is no worse than the flu. Apparently over a million deaths worldwide does not do the trick.