Parts of Outer Banks loosen visitor restrictions put in place because of coronavirus

Some travelers will be allowed to return to parts of the Outer Banks as early as Thursday.

Currituck County, which includes the northern leg of the barrier islands, voted Monday to allow all non-resident property owners back into the Corolla area starting at 9 a.m. Thursday.

That’s only if they have a permit to present at the check point — and they must bring their own food, officials said.

Tourists won’t be allowed back in the Corolla area until at least May 15, Currituck County officials said. The county of Board of Commissioners will meet May 4 to “re-evaluate” that date, according to a Facebook post from the board.

Dare County, which includes the bulk of the islands, will allow non-resident property owners back starting at 6 a.m. on May 4, with a valid permit. Re-entry will be phased in over three days, based on names in alphabetical order, officials said in a press release.

Dare County includes the communities from Duck south to Hatteras, including Roanoke Island. Officials there have not decided when tourists who don’t own property may return.

“Decisions regarding access for visitors will be addressed at a future date following necessary syndrome surveillance and monitoring of resource availability after non-resident property owners return and state orders are updated,” Dare County officials said in a news release.

The southern leg of the islands, including Cape Lookout National Seashore, lies within Carteret County. It didn’t shut out non-resident property owners or tourists, but it did halt vacation home and hotel rentals, and closed camping and RV sites.

Carteret County has not said when it will lift those bans.

Both Cape Lookout and Cape Hatteras national seashores have remained open to visitors during the pandemic, though facilities including restrooms and camp grounds have been closed.

This story was originally published April 22, 2020 at 7:37 AM.