Phase 1 of North Carolina’s Stay at Home Order effective at 5:00 p.m., and more Dare County updates for Friday, May 8
Dare County reminded residents that Phase 1 of North Carolina’s Stay at Home Order becomes effective starting at 5 p.m. today in their Friday COVID-19 update.
Additional COVID-19-related updates from the county for Friday, May 8, are below.
Department of Health & Human Services
- State Cases of COVID-19
In North Carolina, there are currently 13,868 cases of COVID-19 in 99 counties. There have been 527 fatalities in NC associated with COVID-19. Currently, the state is reporting 515 hospitalizations across the state from COVID-19 illness.
- County’s Positive Test Results
The number of positive tests results in Dare County has remained at 18 for the past 7 days. For the most up to date information on COVID-19 cases in Dare County and the State of North Carolina, visit darenc.com/covid19.
Moving Into Phase 1 of the State’s Stay at Home Order
Beginning at 5 p.m. today, Phase 1 of North Carolina’s Stay at Home Order becomes effective. More businesses can open and people are allowed to venture out for more reasons. Businesses that do open have to implement social distancing and cleaning rules, just like those currently in place at grocery and hardware stores. State parks can also open, but with limits on the number of people who can gather there.
Learn About the State’s Move Into Phase One
Phase 1 Guidance for Business Operations
As we ease into Phase 1 of the State’s Stay Home Order, Dare County Health and Human Services is providing public health messaging and guidance for businesses to use. Visit www.darenc.com/covidbusiness to download printable files.
Dare County Health and Human Services staff is available to assist local businesses with COVID-19 related questions via email at covid19@darenc.com.
Restaurants
Please continue to support our local restaurants. Restaurants continue to be able to offer service only through take out, drive-through and delivery. Lodging establishments which traditionally service breakfast or other meals are also only able to provide meals to go. No sit-down dining is allowed under the State’s Executive Order 138.
Face Masks and The Three W’s
COVID-19 is a highly contagious virus and remains a significant public health threat. The virus may be spread unknowingly by an asymptomatic individual. For the protection of those around you, it is strongly encouraged that you wear a mask in public settings where social distancing cannot be maintained. Please note that some businesses may require customers to wear masks for entry into the business. Always follow the three W’s when you leave your home: Wear a face covering, Wash your hands, and Wait six feet apart.
Dare County continues to provide services for residents, property owners and businesses. Be sure to call the department or office before you visit to reduce the need for in-person interactions. For a listing of departments and their altered or online services, visit darenc.com/covidservices.
For a list of national, state, and local resources to help individuals, families and businesses during this difficult time, visit darenc.com/covidresources.
Dare County Health and Human Services staff is available to answer COVID-19-related questions. The Call Center is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and can be reached at 252-475-5008.
Lighthouse are closed. Downtown Marina is closed to visitors until 05/16.
Most Cape Hatteras National Seashore beaches remain open for the purpose of staying healthy while following federal and state guidelines to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Beach users can help keep these areas open by staying at least 6 feet from each other and by not creating a gathering of 10 or more people in a single location. Additionally, vehicles on the beach should be parked roughly 20 feet apart. For current beach access information, go to: http://go.nps.gov/beachaccess. Off-road vehicle permits can be purchased online at www.recreation.gov.
All indoor facilities at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, and Wright Brothers National Memorial are temporarily closed. Outdoor areas, including lighthouse grounds, are open.
As services are limited, the National Park Service urges visitors to continue to practice Leave No Trace principles, including pack-in and pack-out, to keep outdoor spaces safe and healthy.
The 2020 lighthouse climbing seasons at the Cape Hatteras and Bodie Island lighthouses, and camping seasons at Oregon Inlet, Cape Point, Frisco, and Ocracoke campgrounds, are postponed until further notice.
The next bulletin will be issued no later than Monday, May 11, 2020 at 1:00 p.m.
Time to shelter at home when this place opens up for virus transmission. It has been nice without the dangerous hoards, our kids could play and explore and we felt safe without all the traffic. It is so dangerous here on Hatteras in the summer months