Do you have questions about ‘stay at home’ orders due to COVID-19? We’ll get answers.

“Stay at home” orders to stop the spread of COVID-19 have been announced around the country, including in Durham and Mecklenburg counties and smaller communities around North Carolina.

They’re also known as “shelter in place” orders. But what does it really mean? Where can you go or not go? What can you do — or not? Where can you walk, drive or play?

Ask your questions by completing this form or go to bit.ly/virusnc. We’ll get answers.

Here are the latest questions we’ve received from our readers:

Q: What exactly does “shelter in place” or “stay at home” mean? Do I have to stay inside my house?

A: Durham, Wake County and Orange County announced “stay at home” orders this week. The order means residents are instructed to stay at home, with certain exceptions. They are prohibited from gatherings on public property and any gatherings of more than 10 people.

It doesn’t mean you have to stay at home all the time. You’re allowed to do things like make grocery and supply runs, go to work if your job is considered essential, and get exercise as long as you’re practicing social distancing.

Q: When does the stay at home order start and when does it end?

A: Durham’s stay at home policy will begin Thursday, March 25 at 6:00 p.m. It lasts until April 30 and Schewel said the city will be regularly reviewing if its still necessary. Orange County’s also lasts until April 30 and Wake County lasts through April 17.

Q: If my county has a “stay at home” order, does that mean I can’t leave the county?

A: Durham, Wake County and Orange County residents are still allowed to leave to go to other counties for work, depending on the other county’s policies.

Q: How will a stay-at-home order be enforced?

A: Durham law enforcement will be involved in the enforcement of the order, but no one will be arrested unless they “continuously and egregiously offend.” For the most part, he said police will be forcefully telling people to disperse.

Orange County Commissioners Chair Penny Rich said: “The goal isn’t to have law enforcement going out and writing tickets or arresting people. We’re engaging them, and that’s why the sheriff is part of the conversation. It’s more of an educational process. If law enforcement sees groups of people, they’re going to say hey, you need to break it up, here’s the rules now.”

Q: What businesses and activities are considered “essential”?

A: In Durham, Wake County and Orange County, these businesses and activities are exempt from the order:

▪ Health and safety institutions like doctors offices

▪ Grocery stores and other supply stores that offer medical products and other things necessary for living at home

▪ Outdoor activity like walking, hiking, running, biking. Durham specifically allowed playing golf and tennis

▪ Taking care of others, such as care for a family member, friend or a pet in another household when critically necessary

▪ Restaurants, but only through drive-thru or takeout

▪ Media and other 1st amendment protected speech

▪ Gas stations, taxis and other businesses necessary for transportation

▪ Human services that can’t be done online or by telephone

▪ Financial and insurance institutions like banks

▪ Hardware and supply stores

▪ Building, construction and other related trades like plumbers, electricians and janitorial staff

▪ Mail, shipping and delivery services

▪ Educational institutions, when maintaining distance of 6-feet

▪ Laundry services

▪ Home-based care for adults, seniors, children and/or people with disabilities, substance abuse, and/or mental illness

▪ Shelters

▪ Professional services like legal services

▪ Childcare facilities, providing services for first responders, health care workers and others responding to COVID-19

▪ Hotels and motels

▪ Funeral services

You can find the entire list on the stay at home order here. If you want to know if your specific business is exempt, you can email Mayor Schewel at Steve.Schewel@durhamnc.gov and he said he’ll forward it to the city attorney.

Q: Can I leave home to check on an elderly relative?

A: Yes, in Wake County, Orange County and Durham orders it says taking care of others, such as care for a family member, friend or a pet in another household when critically necessary is allowed.

Q: Can I go to my place of business to pick up equipment/supplies?

A: Yes, the Wake County, Orange County and Durham orders say essential operations needed to keep your business going are allowed.

Q: Can I still go for a walk or hike? Can I visit parks or greenways?

A: Yes, the stay at home order for Wake County, Orange County and Durham says outdoor activity like walking, hiking, running, biking is exempt from the order.

Q: Can I walk my dog in my neighborhood?

A: If you’re a resident of Wake County, Durham or Orange County, yes, as long as you’re practicing social distancing.

Q: Can you babysit or pet-sit during the shelter in place order?

A: Yes, the Wake County, Durham and Orange County orders say taking care of others, such as care for a family member, friend or a pet in another household, when critically necessary, is allowed.

Q: I’m supposed to be moving to another county (or state). Can I still do that?

A: Yes, Mayor Schewel said Durham residents are allowed to leave the county.

Q: Does it extend to churches and their employees?

A: Gatherings of more than 10 people are prohibited in Wake County, Durham and Orange County. Schewel said counseling and pastoral care provided by religious organizations when made available by telephone or digital access is permitted in Durham.

Q: My golf course is open, and my exercise both mental and physical. Can I still go and play under ”stay at home” in Durham?

A: Yes, golfing is exempt in Durham and Wake County under the order. Schewel said the city will be making sure that people are social distancing. Any contact sport, team sport, or other physical activity where social distancing cannot be maintained are prohibited.

Orange County also says you may go to outdoor recreation areas, as long as you comply with social distancing requirements.

Q: Is veterinary healthcare an essential service? Can I take my pet to the vet if they are sick?

A: In Durham, vets are an essential service and exempt from the stay at home order, but pet grooming businesses are not.

Q: What do I do if my home is unsafe?

A: For a resident of Durham, Wake County or Orange County whose home is unsafe or becomes unsafe, such as victims of domestic violence, you’re permitted and urged to leave and find a safe alternative location.

Q: What does this mean for me if I’m homeless?

A: Durham, Wake County and Orange County residents who are homeless are exempt from the order, but the city is strongly urging homeless folks to find shelter, as well as urging government and other entities to make shelters possible. Schewel also said the city is working to develop a quarantine facility for homeless people.

This story was originally published March 24, 2020 at 9:20 PM.