photo credit: Evan El-Amin // Shutterstock

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper has decided to extend the stay-at-home order, set to expire on April 29th, until May 8th. The extension is only 8 days from the original expiration date.

“After a thorough analysis, it’s clear that we’re flattening the curve, but our state is not ready to lift our restrictions yet,” Cooper said. “We need time to slow the spread of the virus before we can start easing those restrictions.”

He said the extension includes continued closure of dine-in restaurants, bars and close-contact businesses like hair and nail salons, movie theaters and others mentioned in his executive order.

“I will not risk the health of our people or our hospitals and easing these restrictions now would do that,” Cooper said.

For states to reopen, Trump’s Administration recommends for phase one that states have enough tests for all at-risk health care workers, a downward trend in positive cases for at least 14 days, a downward trend in flu-like illnesses for at least 14 days, and hospitals have enough protective gear for workers, enough beds, ventilators and other supplies to treat all patients.

Phase two is reopening schools and day cares. Bars would be able to re-open but with less room for people to stand around, other employees will still be encouraged to work from home.

Phase three will be returning to normalcy for the most part. Vulnerable individuals would be encouraged to still practice social distancing, low-risk populations would be recommended to minizime time crowded areas, hospitals and senior care center will resume visitations but with frequent hand washing and employers can resume unrestricted worksites.

Source: ABC11