NC Governor announces Phase 3 extension, lowers indoor gathering limit
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said Tuesday the state will remain in Phase 3 for another three weeks as coronavirus trends continue to surge and indoor gatherings are poised to increase as the holidays arrive.
The governor also is reducing the limit on indoor gatherings from 25 people to 10. Outdoor gathering limits will remain at 50 people.
“The science shows that the transmission of this virus is much greater indoors,” Cooper said at a news conference. “And the more people who are gathered, the easier this virus can spread. We saw increasing spread from social gatherings in October.”
This is the second time he has extended Phase 3. The latest COVID-19 rules went into effect Oct. 2 and allowed bars, entertainment venues, movie theaters and large outdoor arenas to reopen with limited capacity. Those rules were extended Oct. 21 and are set to expire Friday.
Cooper’s executive order is now set to expire Dec. 4 at 5 p.m.
“Hope is on the horizon,” Cooper said. “This pandemic will not last forever, as frustrating and painful as it is. ... We don’t want to let the last eight months of sacrifices go to the wayside by dropping our guard or ignoring safety measures during family gatherings. We’ve come too far to lose our focus.”
Cooper and health officials have voiced concerns about seeing a new spike in cases that could overwhelm hospitals as more people gather indoors, people experience “coronavirus fatigue” and don’t adhere to guidelines, such as wearing masks.
But Cooper has said he does not want to go backward and reinstate certain restrictions.
The announcement comes as North Carolina reached a record-high seven-day average for new coronavirus reports: 2,405. The state also reported 1,230 statewide hospitalizations due to COVID-19 on Tuesday, the second highest total since the pandemic began, The News & Observer reported.
Dr. Mandy Cohen, secretary of the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, said the state’s trajectory of new cases remains too high and encourages limited holiday gatherings with face masks on among people not in the same household.
“Bottom line, we are on shaky ground as we head into Thanksgiving,” Cohen said.
‘Dimmer switch’
Cooper and Cohen embrace a “dimmer switch” philosophy to describe how the state will ease restrictions over time, depending on the state’s trends of cases, tests, hospitalizations and people with COVID-19-like symptoms.
Under Phase 3, bars were allowed to reopen, but outside only, and with restrictions. Capacity restrictions have remained in place for restaurants and entertainment venues.
Under the amended Phase 3, the mass gatherings rule does not apply to families who live in the same house. Religious services are exempt from the order. It also doesn’t apply to schools or universities, which have their own guidelines in place.
The 10-person limit applies to people who are in a single confined indoor space. In publicly accessible indoor buildings, that means 10 per room, according to the executive order. In museums and aquariums, up to 25 people can be in a room, the executive order says.
Cooper and Cohen said the new limit on indoor gatherings is aimed at the social and family gatherings that they know are spreading the virus. Cohen urged those visiting North Carolina for the holidays to download the free SlowCOVIDNC app that notifies users if they have been exposed to someone with COVID-19.
Cohen said that 800 people who use the app have been notified of COVID-19 exposure. The app does not store personal data. She also said that visitors to North Carolina should know that masks are worn here.
Quarantines are not being considered for travelers to the state, Cooper said.
For Thanksgiving holiday plans, Cooper said the number of people attending family functions should be reduced; tables should be spaced out; and that people should get COVID-19 tests beforehand.
“Find a way that works for your family,” he said. “People tend to let their guard down when they’re with people that they know or even people who are family. But as we’ve said time and again, that doesn’t mean they don’t have COVID-19 and aren’t showing symptoms.”
Following the 3Ws
As of Wednesday, N.C. Department of Health and Human Services reported 297,442 total cases of COVID-19. As of Monday, there are 261,719 cases presumed recovered.
The state has reported 4,660 COVID-19 deaths. More than 4.4 million people have been tested.
Johns Hopkins University states the country has now passed 10 million cases.
Neighboring state Virginia is currently under its own third phase of reopening and also has a statewide mask mandate. In South Carolina, instead of a statewide mask mandate, the governor has urged cities and counties to pass their own mask ordinances.
Cooper and Cohen said North Carolinians can level out cases like they did during the summer if they continue to follow the “3 Ws” of waiting six feet apart, wearing a mask and washing their hands.
“I know North Carolinians are creative and will find amazing ways to celebrate the holidays while still keeping our communities safe,” Cooper said. “Find a way that works for your family and know that your sacrifice is helping all of our state.”
This story was originally published November 10, 2020 at 3:14 PM.