At a Wednesday press conference, Governor Roy Cooper announced that coronavirus restrictions in place under Phase 2 will remain for an additional five weeks.
North Carolina Secretary of Health and Human Services Dr. Mandy Cohen says that the metrics the state monitors are stable, but are not improving fast enough. Governor Roy Cooper:
"Stable is good but decreasing is better. And while we are seeing a stabilization of our numbers that doesn’t mean we can let up. We know the stability is fragile and these trends can change quickly if we let down our guards.”
And with the risk of students returning to the classroom, both in public schools and in universities, Governor Cooper says now is not time to loosen restrictions:
“In order to push for decreasing numbers, which will keep people healthier and boost our economy, North Carolina will remain paused in the ‘Safer-at-Home Phase 2’ for five weeks.”
Cooper says that relaxing guidelines and moving to Phase 3 is in the hands of North Carolinians:
“Our success at returning thousands of students, teachers, and staff safely to classrooms this month depends on us doing what works.”
And what works is the 3 Ws...waiting six feet apart, wearing a mask and washing your hands.