Gov. Cooper eases NC coronavirus restrictions; says gyms, playgrounds, museums can reopen
Gyms, museums, bowling alleys, and aquariums will be allowed to reopen Friday, Gov. Roy Cooper announced Tuesday.
Museums and aquariums will be allowed to open at half capacity, and gyms will be able to open at 30% capacity, Cooper said in a press conference. The changes take effect Friday at 5 p.m. Playgrounds will also be allowed to open.
Children five years and older must wear masks in public, under the new order. The age limit was lowered from 11 years old.
The news of loosened restrictions on businesses, which Cooper called Phase 2.5, comes a week ahead of schedule. Cooper said on Aug. 5 that existing regulations would be in place until at least Sept. 11.
“We’ve continued to see our statewide numbers stabilize,” Cooper said Tuesday. “We’re encouraged but cautious.”
The N.C. Museum of Art, the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences and other attractions have been closed for months. Museums and aquariums must adhere to mass gathering restrictions for each room.
Earlier Tuesday, the state Department of Health and Human Services reported the highest daily total of new COVID-19 cases in four weeks.
Dr. Mandy Cohen, head of the state health agency, said that cases, hospitalizations, and other metrics are stabilizing.
“As we are going to take some steps forward today, it’s important to remember that moving forward does not mean letting up,” she said during Tuesday’s press conference.
Gyms, museums, bowling alleys have been closed since March
Cohen said that just because restrictions are easing on gyms, it doesn’t mean that going to them is the right choice for everyone. People should use their own best judgment, she said.
On Monday, Cooper extended the curfew on restaurant alcohol sales to Oct. 2. Restaurants and other establishments that serve drinks for on-site consumption are prohibited from selling them between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.
Gyms, bowling alleys, theaters and other entertainment venues were ordered to close in March, along with other businesses deemed non-essential in the pandemic. Retail stores, restaurant dining rooms, barbershops, salons and other establishments were later allowed to reopen with occupancy restrictions.
The new order allows boxing clubs, skating rinks, yoga and dance studios and other facilities to open at 30% capacity.
Many gyms have already been open to people who say exercise is part of a medical treatment plan. The Planet Fitness chain told customers they were starting to reopen Tuesday for people who use exercise for medical treatment.
Cooper said Tuesday that gyms that have already opened must comply with the executive order guidelines. They include requirements for employees and customers to wear masks, except during strenuous exercise.
Bars still closed, skilled nursing home visitations change
Bars remain closed.
“We know that some businesses are closed and people are hurting,” Cooper said. The way to get all businesses open is for everyone to do all they can to slow the spread of the virus, he said.
The GOP-run legislature made several attempts this year to allow gyms and other businesses to open. Cooper vetoed those bills.
Some gym owners said Cooper’s decision to keep gyms closed was not fair, because the administration never identified a case of the virus transmitted in a gym.
Cohen issued a separate order allowing people who live in skilled nursing facilities to meet visitors outdoors. Outdoor visitation is already allowed at other long-term care facilities. Skilled nursing facilities are home to some of the state’s most medically frail residents, Cohen said, people who are at risk of developing severe COVID-19 symptoms.
“We’ve been trying to find this balance of protection but also recognizing that this visitation is part of leading a full and complete life,” she said.
This story was originally published September 1, 2020 at 3:16 PM with the headline "Gov. Cooper eases NC coronavirus restrictions; says gyms, playgrounds, museums can reopen."
