Cooper ‘hopeful’ NC can start Phase Two of reopening this week, plans midweek decision
Gov. Roy Cooper said Monday he remains hopeful he can remove his stay-at-home order by moving into Phase Two of the state’s reopening plan by the end of this week.
North Carolina has been in Phase One since May 8. Cooper’s executive order for that phase is due to expire on Friday.
“We are hoping that we can move into Phase Two,” Cooper said. “We still need to look at a couple of more days of the data. We should be able to announce something this week by mid week regarding what’s going to happen on Friday.”
Earlier Monday the state reported its number of lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases grew to 19,023 since the first case was diagnosed in early March. At least 9,115 people are presumed to be recovered from the virus while 661 people have died, according to state health department accounting.
While the number of new cases continues to climb, other key trends the state is monitoring, like the number of hospitalized patients, the percentage of tests coming back positive and the number of people being seen at hospital emergency departments with COVID-like symptoms, are flat or falling.
The state is also hitting its goal of testing between 5,000 and 7,000 people per day.
“We are continuing to monitor the data and the metrics that we’ve laid out for our state,” Cooper said. “We will ease restrictions and move to Phase Two only if we are headed in the right direction with our data. As we watch and examine the trends, we are working with public health and the private sector to determine how we can reduce the risk of spread in the next phase. Remember — we have flattened the curve, but the threat of COVID-19 is still here.”
To that end, Cooper and Dr. Mandy Cohen, secretary of the state’s Department of Health and Human Services, both spoke out strongly against people gathering together for parties in an effort to expose more people to the virus, hoping to promote community immunity.
“That is completely irresponsible and completely unacceptable,” Cooper said.
Cohen added “there is no circumstance under which we want people to actively pursue getting COVID-19.”
Cooper and Cohen also were asked about another kind of gathering spot: swimming pools. The opening of pools is another decision to be made this week, Cooper said, in considering the move to Phase Two.
Cohen stressed any opening would likely require less than full capacity at pools, with a spacing of chairs around the pool and the wearing of face coverings when not in the pool.
“And once in the pool, having social distancing as well,” Cohen said.
What Phase Two would look like
Under Phase One, while people are still asked to stay-at-home when possible, they can leave for more reasons. Businesses that had previously been closed are allowed to open under guidelines that they limited occupancy to 50% of capacity. Cleaning and social distancing standards are suggested and people are encouraged to wear masks. Gatherings are limited to no more than 10 people, with exceptions for funerals or outdoor religious services.
A federal judge blocked limits on indoor religious services Saturday in response to a lawsuit filed against Cooper by some religious leaders who believed their First Amendment rights were being violated.
If the state moves to Phase Two, the plan calls for the stay-at-home order to be lifted. Vulnerable populations, including the elderly or those with compromised immune systems, would be encouraged to remain at home.
Restaurants and bars would be allowed to serve customers with on-site dining but at a reduced capacity. Entertainment venues would be able to reopen but also at a reduced capacity.
The limit on mass gatherings would be further relaxed by allowing more people at events, and public playgrounds could open again.
Restrictions on nursing homes and other congregate care facilities would remain in place.
Cooper and Cohen were asked Monday about the opening of swimming pools in Phase 2,
The state would remain in Phase Two for four to six weeks before a decision would be made about relaxing even more restrictions with a move to Phase Three.
So far, the abrupt closing and slow reopening of businesses in response to the coronavirus pandemic have been done on a statewide level with executive orders. Cooper said Monday that, if the state isn’t ready to move into Phase Two on Friday, he and state health officials would consider making decisions on a regional basis.
“We hope that we can move forward into Phase Two,” Cooper said. “We know it’s important to cushion the blow to the economy. But public health and safety is No. 1. We are going to continue to keep that at the top of the list. We believe that economic prosperity and the health of the people can go hand in hand.”
This story was originally published May 18, 2020 at 2:43 PM with the headline "Cooper ‘hopeful’ NC can start Phase Two of reopening this week, plans midweek decision."