Cooper likely to announce COVID-19 Phase Two for NC today. How to watch his briefing.
Updated: Gov. Roy Cooper announced the start of Phase Two in North Carolina, effective May 22 at 5 p.m.
Gov. Roy Cooper could announce the start of Phase Two of the state’s reopening plan at today’s 5 p.m. media briefing.
Cooper will appear with other state officials, including N.C. Department of Health and Human Services secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen and other members of the Coronavirus Task Force.
The news conference can be streamed live at ncdps.gov/storm-update and will be delivered in English, Spanish and American Sign Language.
Major affiliated television stations in markets around the state, such as ABC11, WRAL and CBS 17 in the Triangle, normally televise the governor’s news conferences as well.
The state started easing stay-at-home restrictions May 8. Cooper previously said if progress has been made on a combination of metrics, including COVID-like syndromic cases, lab-confirmed cases, positive tests as a percentage of total tests and hospitalizations, the state could enter Phase Two as early as Friday, May 22.
The North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association emailed its members Tuesday afternoon, saying that under Cooper’s opening plan, restaurants and bars will be allowed to offer dine-in service at 50% capacity.
The “Interim Guidelines for Restaurants” N.C. Department of Health and Human Services document shared by the restaurant association is dated May 22.
Phase Two could also allow swimming pools and hair and nail salons to reopen, but with special safety guidelines in place.
The number of people allowed to be at gatherings could also be increased, and public playgrounds could be opened.
The state still would strongly encourage those more vulnerable to the virus to stay at home while also continuing restrictions on nursing homes and similar settings.
This story was originally published May 20, 2020 at 11:04 AM.
