The Governor of North Carolina has issued a Stay at Home Order for 30 days beginning on Monday, March 30, 2020, at 5:00 p.m. in order to further combat the spread of COVID-19 in our community. This order directs all residents of North Carolina, including residents of Alamance County, to shelter at home and limit movements outside of their homes beyond essential needs.
This order is currently valid for 30 days. It may be amended at a later date, so residents are encouraged to stay connected to trusted sources, such as the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services COVID-19 page.
Guidelines
The following activities are permitted:
- For health and safety. To engage in activities or perform tasks essential to their health and safety, or to the health and safety of their family or household members or persons who are unable to or should not leave their home (including, but not limited to, pets), such as, by way of example only and without limitation, seeking emergency services, obtaining medical supplies or medication, or visiting a health care professional or veterinarian.
- For necessary supplies and services. To obtain necessary services or supplies for themselves and their family or household members or persons who are unable or should not leave their home, or to deliver those services or supplies to others, such as, by way of example only and without limitation, groceries and food, household consumer products, supplies they need to work from home, automobile supplies (including sales, parts, supplies, repair and maintenance), and products necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences or places of employment.
- For outdoor activity. To engage in outdoor activity, provided individuals comply with Social Distancing Requirements and Mass Gatherings, as defined below, such as, by way of example and without limitation, walking, hiking, running, golfing, or biking. Individuals may go to public parks and open outdoor recreation areas. However, public playground equipment may increase the spread of COVID-19, and therefore shall be closed. These activities are subject to the limitations on events or convenings in Section 3 of this Executive Order.
- For certain types of work. To perform work at businesses authorized to remain open under Section 2 of this Executive Order (which, as defined below, includes Healthcare and Public Health Operations, Human Services Operations, Essential Governmental Operations, and Essential Infrastructure Operations) or to otherwise carry out activities specifically permitted in this Executive Order, including Minimum Basic Operations.
- To take care of others. To care for or assist a family member, friend, or pet in another household, and to transport family members, friends, or pets as allowed by this Executive Order. This includes attending weddings and funerals provided individuals comply with Social Distancing Requirements and Mass Gatherings as set forth below.
- Place of worship. Travel to and from a place of worship.
- To receive goods and services. To receive goods and services provided by a COVID-19 Essential Business or Operation.
- Place of residence. To return to or travel between one’s place or places of residence for purposes including, but not limited to, child custody or visitation arrangements.
- Volunteering. To volunteer with organizations that provide charitable and social services.
You should not:
- Go to work unless you are providing essential services as defined by the governor’s order
- Visit friends and family if there is no urgent need
- Maintain less than 6 feet of distance from others when you go out
- Visit loved ones in the hospital, nursing home, skilled nursing facility or another residential care facility, except for limited exceptions as provided on the facility websites
- Travel except for essential travel and activities
What is the difference?
Stay at home is a stricter form of social distancing. Stay at home means:
- Stay home (stay unexposed and do not expose others)
- Only go out for essential services
- Stay 6 feet or more away from others
- Don’t gather in groups
For the full Proclamation, go to https://files.nc.gov/governor/documents/files/EO121-Stay-at-Home-Order-3.pdf. For further questions, call the North Carolina DHHS COVID hotline at 866-462-3821.
What activities are considered essential?
- For health and safety
- To get necessary supplies and services
- For outdoor activities, while maintaining social distancing (exercise, walking, hiking, golfing, running, cycling, using greenways)
- For work for essential businesses/operations
- To take care of others
What about businesses?
Non-essential business and operations must cease. All businesses and operations in the County, except Essential Businesses and Operations are to cease all activities within the County except minimum basic operations. Businesses may continue operations consisting exclusively of employees or contractors performing activities at their own residences (i.e., working from home).
What businesses and types of work are considered essential?
Information about the types of businesses and organizations that are considered essential may be found in the governor’s order.