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CAPE FEAR MEMORIAL BRIDGE CLOSURE: UPDATES, RESOURCES, AND CONTEXT
Gathered at the bottom of this page is WHQR's ongoing reporting and coverage on COVID-19. In addition, below is a list of other resources pertaining to the virus.For questions/concerns about COVID-19, call the NC Coronavirus Helpline at 1-866-462-3821. To find out about the availability of community resources, call 211 or visit nc211.orgFor Brunswick County, the COVID-19 Helpline is 910-253-2339. The email is coronavirus@brunswickcountync.gov. New Hanover County's Helpline is 910-798-6800. National Resources Basic Protective Measures from the Coronavirus Coronavirus Myth Busters Coronavirus FAQs and Answers National Coronavirus Case Tracker Protecting Yourself and Your Family Preventing COVID-19 Spread in Communities International Travel Advisories Local ResourcesTesting in North Carolina State Case Count New Hanover County Updates and Info Brunswick County Updates and Info Pender County Updates and Info New Hanover Regional Medical Center Updates New Hanover Disaster Coalition Novant HealthDosher Memorial HospitalWAVE TransitWilmington HealthUNCWWHQR's Community Resources

NC Mask-Wearing Mandate Tightens As Covid Cases Continue To Rise

The newest Executive Order is in effect from November 25 through December 11, 2020.

Covid-19 cases and hospitalizations continue to rise at concerning levels across North Carolina.  For that reason, Governor Roy Cooper is extending restrictions on gatherings and tightening requirements on mask-wearing.  And as Pender County becomes one of 21 counties with substantial community spread, state officials hope local governments will follow Greensboro’s example. 

Starting the day before Thanksgiving, a face covering will be required in all indoor settings if there are people from different households present – regardless of distance. 

Masks will be required in gyms during exercise and in restaurants unless guests are actively eating and drinking. 

Retail businesses with more than 15,000 square feet of space must station a worker at public entrances to enforce mask-wearing and capacity limits. 

With law enforcement stretched thin, Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughan says her City, through an enhanced State of Emergency Order, is finding other ways to ensure compliance.

"As of Friday, we gave our City Manager the ability to utilize other departments, such as Code Enforcement, Special Events, and Parking Enforcement to enforce the existing regulations and restrictions.  We enacted a penalty for exceeding permitted capacity."

Mayor Vaughan also says compliance teams, made up of these other City employees, will check for mask enforcement among employees of businesses and after one warning will close non-compliant businesses for increasing amounts of time with each violation.

The Governor’s Executive Order is effective through December 11th.

To read Executive Order 180 in its entirety, follow this link:

https://files.nc.gov/governor/documents/files/EO180-Face-Coverings-Requirements.pdf

To view the Covid County Alert Report and map, follow this link:

https://files.nc.gov/covid/documents/dashboard/COVID-19-County-Alert-System-Report.pdf

Rachel hosts and produces CoastLine, an award-winning hourlong conversation featuring artists, humanitarians, scholars, and innovators in North Carolina. The show airs Wednesdays at noon and Sundays at 4 pm on 91.3 FM WHQR Public Media. It's also available as a podcast; just search CoastLine WHQR. You can reach her at rachellh@whqr.org.