RALEIGH – Gov. Roy Cooper announced on Wednesday that the state’s curfew will continue.
Executive order 188, which was signed on Jan. 8, expires on Friday, Jan. 29. Today’s order, numbered Executive Order 189, means the restrictions will continue until Feb. 28. The 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew began on Dec. 11, 2020.
Under the order, North Carolinians are required to stay at home and travel only for work or to obtain essential goods or services during the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.
Worship, religious, and spiritual gatherings, funeral ceremonies, wedding ceremonies, and other activities constituting the exercise of First Amendment rights continue to remain exempt from the order.
The order does not apply to retail businesses that sell groceries, medication, fuel, or health care supplies.
The order also continues to keep indoor rides and attractions closed and non-bar night spots and arenas are restricted to 25 guests per facility. Mass gatherings limits remain unchanged, continuing at 10 individuals indoors and 50 individuals outdoors.
The prohibition on alcohol service for on-site consumption will continue to be in effect as well.
Events outside of homes must also end no later than 10:00 p.m. including live entertainment events, movie screenings, and youth and amateur sporting events. However, professional and collegiate sporting events may continue after 10:00 p.m.
Gov. Cooper also announced he would extend the moratorium on evictions and his previous order regarding to-go alcoholic beverage sales through March 31.
The estimated number of patients presumed to be recovered from symptoms from COVID-19 is 635,543 across the state.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
