By WECT Staff | January 6, 2021 at 9:58 AM EST – Updated January 12 at 5:06 PM
RALEIGH, N.C. (WECT) – Gov. Roy Cooper announced Wednesday that he is extending his modified Stay at Home Order while NCDHHS Secretary Mandy K. Cohen has issued a Secretarial Directive telling North Carolinians to stay at home except for essential activities.
“I’m extending for 3 weeks the modified Stay At Home Order that requires people to be home between 10 p.m.-5 a.m.,” Cooper said Wednesday. “Our other strong safety measures remain in place: the statewide mask mandate, closure of indoor bars and limits on mass gatherings and retail establishment capacity.
“Dr. Cohen will issue a new Secretarial Directive to caution in stark terms against leaving home for any reason other than work, school, exercise, health care needs or groceries. Simply put, don’t go places indoors where people aren’t wearing masks.”
According to the latest update of the COVID-19 County Alert System, 84 of the state’s 100 counties are in red, meaning a critical level of viral spread. All five counties in WECT’s coverage area are in the red.
“There is an alarming amount of virus everywhere in our state. We are in a very dangerous position,” said Cohen. “Every single North Carolinian needs to take immediate action to save lives and protect themselves and each other.”
North Carolinians are directed to:
- Only leave home for essential activities such as going to work or school, for health care purposes, to care for family members or to buy food.
- Avoid leaving home if you are over 65 or at high risk for developing serious illness. Use delivery services or alternative pick-up methods for food and retail.
- Avoid gathering with people who do not live with you.
- Wear a mask and keep distance from people when you leave home.
- Avoid any indoor public spaces where people are not wearing masks.
- Stay away from crowds. Avoid places where people may gather in large numbers.
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