By WECT Staff | March 31, 2020 at 6:55 AM EDT – Updated March 31 at 6:37 PM
COLUMBUS COUNTY, N.C. (WECT) – A curfew will go into effect for the unincorporated parts of Columbus County starting Wednesday, April 1.
According to the county’s latest declaration of a state of emergency, a curfew will be in place daily from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
The declaration says that the curfew does not affect those with a heath care emergencies, health care workers, emergency first responders, those traveling to or from work, or those assisting “with the emergency response to Coronavirus.”
“Our Deputies are still out in full force and we WILL BE enforcing the curfew on Wednesday at 10:00 PM.,” the sheriff’s office said in a Facebook post Monday.
WECT reached out to Sherif Jody Greene Tuesday after Columbus County Manager Mike Stephens said Greene called for the curfew.
The sheriff declined an on-camera interview and has not yet answered questions as to why the curfew was necessary.
Two incorporated towns have also ordered curfews.
The Town of Bolton will be acting in accordance to the county-wide curfew starting tomorrow. That curfew will also be in place daily from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Fair Bluff Mayor Billy Hammond issued a curfew that began Monday night after issues with group gatherings.
“Last week we had people from out of town two days and we had a large group fighting and arguing so we didn’t want it to escalate,” Hammond said.
Fair Bluff police will enforce the curfew which is in effect from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. until further notice.
“Last week we had people from out of town two days and we had a large group fighting and arguing so we didn’t want it to escalate,” he said.
The sheriff’s office also said that it has received several calls asking if travel passes are required.
“At this time no passes are required but for ease of travel for employees of essential businesses the EMPLOYER may issue a employee identification card/badge,” the post states. “If the company has no ID card/badge the company may use their letterhead to include employee information, business hours, and services provided. Again, this is NOT mandatory at this time but could clear up any concerns in the future.”
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