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Raleigh, North Carolina – Governor Roy Cooper on Wednesday extended a nighttime curfew, a moratorium on evictions and rules allowing restaurants and bars to serve mixed drinks as the coronavirus pandemic continues to rage in North Carolina.
Current decrees covering all three are expected to expire on Sunday, but new decrees have pushed this back to the end of February for the curfew and to the end of March for evictions and take-out drinks.
“The virus is still rampant in our communities,” Cooper said at an afternoon press conference. “We still have work to do. We cannot let our guard down, especially in these cold winter months.”
North Carolina reported another 139 coronavirus-related deaths on Wednesday, marking the fifth time in a week the figure topped 100. Last week was the deadliest in the pandemic, with 715 deaths statewide.
Meanwhile, 5,587 other coronavirus infections were reported statewide on Wednesday, and 3,305 people were in hospitals with COVID-19.
Cooper and Dr Mandy Cohen, secretary of the State Department of Health and Human Services, noted that viral trends in North Carolina have leveled off in recent days after peaking earlier in January. But the percentage of positive viral tests remains in double digits – averaging 11.2% over the past week – well above the state’s 5% target range.
“We are past the peak of the winter break, but we are still experiencing worrying levels of the virus,” Cohen said.
The 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew was put in place in early December to prevent people from getting together in groups late at night during the holidays, increasing the risk of coronavirus transmission. Most businesses must close by 10 p.m., and restaurants and bars must stop selling alcohol for on-site consumption by 9 p.m.
But restaurants can continue to fill takeout and delivery orders after 10 p.m., and Cooper issued a separate executive order last month allowing them to serve mixed drinks with those orders to make up some of the revenue lost under the cover. fire.
Cooper said he chose different dates for curfew orders and take-out drinks to provide restaurant owners with some stability as state officials continue to monitor viral trends for any changes. necessary security protocols.
“We think this is a good economic boost for businesses that are really struggling,” he said. “We wanted to make sure they had extra income during this time.”
In addition to the curfew, the statewide mask mandate, limits on mass gatherings, and capacity restrictions for various businesses also remain in place.
Evictions have been suspended since last spring, as people affected by business closures linked to a pandemic struggle to pay their rent. President Joe Biden last week extended a similar nationwide moratorium on evictions until March.
“Keeping people in their homes is an important way to slow the spread of the virus,” Cooper said.
Coronavirus Vaccinations in North Carolina
The measures come as North Carolina combats not only the spread of the virus, but efforts to vaccinate people against it as well.
North Carolina has distributed more than 99% of the first doses of coronavirus vaccine it has received from the federal government so far, Cooper said.
“The sticking point right now for our state and the nation is that there aren’t enough vaccines,” he said.
Get details on COVID-19 vaccination clinics near you.
The limited supply has forced some counties to limit vaccination appointments in recent days.
Biden on Tuesday announced plans to increase weekly vaccine shipments to states by at least 16% over the next three weeks. Cooper said the additional offer “will help, but we still need a lot more.”
The governor encouraged counties to continue scheduling immunization appointments, focusing on health workers and people aged 65 or older, and creating waiting lists so people are ready. to get vaccinated as soon as the state has enough vaccines for them.
Pro Senate Speaker Tem Phil Berger criticized the state’s “zig-zag” approach to vaccine distribution, saying officials should have taken existing appointments into account by making the assignments instead of forcing the cancellation of these appointments.
“It’s just an indication that they are making it up as they go rather than planning things out and making sure we have the best possible distribution plan,” said Berger, R-Rockingham. “The way they implemented it leaves a lot to be desired. “
State lawmakers, who are back in session, could draft legislation on vaccine distribution, he said, but for now, that remains in the hands of the Cooper administration.
Laura Leslie, WRAL Capitol Bureau Chief, contributed to this report.
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