Bulletin # 56
May 6, 2020
11:45 a.m. 

Dare County, in coordination with Hyde and Currituck Counties, will lift restrictions on entry for visitors beginning Saturday, May 16 at 12:01 a.m. This decision follows the announcement by Governor Roy Cooper yesterday (May 5) to issue Executive Order 138 which will modify North Carolina’s Stay at Home order and transition to Phase 1 of slowly easing certain COVID-19 restrictions. 

View the video message announcing entry for visitors from Dare County Board of Commissioners Chairman Bob Woodard at https://youtu.be/trOYyOYwUjo.

Entry for visitors on Saturday, May 16 at 12:01 a.m. includes the towns of Duck, Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head and Manteo; Hatteras Island; Roanoke Island; the Dare mainland; the Currituck County Outer Banks; and Ocracoke Island.

Allowing visitors on May 16 will allow seven days for local businesses, attractions, and accommodations providers to prepare for the arrival of visitors following the new business operating requirements put in place by the Governor’s Executive Order 138.

Before traveling to the Outer Banks, visitors are encouraged to contact their accommodations provider to confirm their reservation and arrival plans.

As visitors prepare for vacation, it is important to remember that the coronavirus is not over. There are still State restrictions in effect to protect everyone’s safety that may impact the way you have vacationed on the Outer Banks in the past, including:

• Social distancing guidelines are still in place.

• Gatherings are limited to 10 people or less.

• Getting food from restaurants continues to be on a take-out or delivery basis.

• Businesses, including grocery stores, have limits on the number of people allowed in the store at any given time based on square footage.

• Personal care and grooming businesses and entertainment businesses without retail or dining are not open yet based on state regulations which are not determined or controlled by our local government.

Also, remember that the CDC recommends not to travel if you are sick or were recently exposed (within 14 days) to COVID-19.

Additionally, individuals are encouraged to wear a mask or cloth face covering in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.

Like many places in the United States, all shoppers should expect to see changes in product availability at grocery and retail outlets as supply chain demand fluctuates across the nation. If possible, visitors should bring essentials with them, including paper and sanitizing products and non-perishable groceries.

Updated information about entry to Dare County, including frequently asked questions, is available on the Dare County website at www.darenc.com/entry. Comprehensive information and resources related to the coronavirus can be found at www.darenc.com/covid19.

For information regarding entry to Ocracoke Island, visit http://hydecountync.gov/ocracoke-covid/index.php and for Hyde County information and resources related to the coronavirus visit http://hydehealth.com/public-health/

For updated information regarding the Currituck Outer Banks, visit   https://co.currituck.nc.us/

For FAQ’s regarding the Governor’s Executive Order No. 138 that moves North Carolina into “Phase 1” of easing certain COVID-19 restrictions to help revive the economy while protecting public health, visit  https://files.nc.gov/governor/documents/files/FAQs-for-Phase-1-EO-FINAL.pdf

Bulletin #57
May 6, 2020
5:15 p.m.

Department of Health & Human Services

• State Cases of COVID-19

In North Carolina, there are currently 11,848 cases of COVID-19 in 99 counties. There have been 430 fatalities in NC associated with COVID-19. Currently, the state is reporting 498 hospitalizations across the state from COVID-19 illness.

• County’s Positive Test Results

The number of positive tests results in Dare County has remained at 18 for the past 5 days. Of the 3 individuals who tested positive last week, 2 are now asymptomatic and the other individual is recovering. All three remain in home isolation. The Dare County COVID-19 webpage has a section for quick reference which provides the most up to date information on COVID-19 cases in Dare County and also the State of North Carolina. You can find this information at darenc.com/covid19.

Dare County Guidelines and Restrictions Now Align with Statewide Orders

On Tuesday, May 5th, Governor Cooper signed Executive Order No. 138 to modify North Carolina’s Stay at Home Order and transition to Phase 1 of slowly easing certain restrictions effective on Friday, May 8 at 5:00 p.m. Today, Dare County rescinded the Dare County, Stay Home – Stay Healthy Order. Individuals and businesses must adhere to the provisions in all statewide Executive Orders.

While no longer required in Dare County, it is strongly recommended that individuals wear a cloth face covering when leaving the house if you may be within six feet of other people who are not household and family members. This would include indoor, community, public and business settings. Face coverings should also be worn outdoors when you cannot stay at least six feet away from other people.

Updated Information Regarding Businesses

North Carolina Executive Order 138 removes the distinction between essential and nonessential businesses. Beginning May 8 at 5:00 p.m., retail businesses are allowed to open at 50% capacity and will be required to direct customers to stand 6 feet apart, perform frequent cleaning, provide hand sanitizer when available, screen workers for symptoms and more. The Order allows people to leave their homes for commercial activity at any business that is open.

Certain businesses are to remain closed during Phase 1 including bars, personal care businesses, entertainment venues, and gyms. Restaurants may only continue to serve customers through drive through, take-out and delivery.

Mass Gatherings 

Mass gatherings remain limited to 10 or fewer individuals, however these get-togethers can now include non-family members as long as they are being held outdoors.

According to Executive Order 138, a house, household, place of residence, or current place of abode, where more than ten (10) people reside is not a mass gathering.

Places of worship may hold services that exceed the Mass Gathering limit of 10 people if those services are held outdoors and in an unenclosed space and if attendees follow social distancing guidance.

Additional Information 

View the Frequently Asked Questions document for more information on Executive Order 138 and moving into Phase 1 of easing restrictions.

Additional information is also available at www.darenc.com/covid19

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