‘We’ll be ready’ for phased reopening plan, Mecklenburg health director says 

Mecklenburg County appears ready for a planned phased reopening which could start as early as next week with relaxed restrictions on some businesses, Health Director Gibbie Harris said Thursday.

The reopening, Harris said, would take place under Gov. Roy Cooper’s outline for a phased approach. The plan calls for three phases, beginning as early as May 8.

The possibility of restaurants and bars reopening dining rooms and hair salons taking customers is still weeks away under the state’s outline.

County residents are “largely” adhering to social distancing guidelines and continuing to flatten the curve of coronavirus, Harris said in a Thursday press briefing.

“As long as our trends are staying stable or decreasing, we’ll be able to move into Phase 1, and that’s what we’re seeing here in Mecklenburg right now...” Harris said. “We also want to make sure that everyone understands: It’s going to be up to everyone together, and individually, that this continues to work as we loosen the restrictions in our community.”

“So I feel confident unless there is some drastic change in the next couple of days, which we don’t anticipate, that we’ll be ready to move into Phase 1 next week.”

But for now, “We are still under the state of North Carolina’s stay-at-home order,” said Mecklenburg County Manager Dena Diorio said Thursday. “The main message is people need to stay at home as much as possible.”

There at least 1,612 confirmed coronavirus cases among Mecklenburg County residents and 49 people have died as of Thursday morning, Harris said. About 63% of the people diagnosed with COVID-19 have been released from isolation.

In Phase 1 of the governor’s statewide plan, more activities would be deemed “essential,” such as going to clothing stores, bookstores and other retailers. But gatherings would still be limited to 10 people or less. And Harris recommends people should wear masks or cloth face coverings in public settings.

The first phase of reopening could last for at least two or three weeks, depending on the trajectory of coronavirus cases and hospitalizations, among other health metrics, state officials have said. By Phase 2, under Cooper’s order, the stay-at-home order will lift — though vulnerable populations should remain at home.

Expanded flexibility

Mecklenburg lifted its local stay-at-home proclamation on Wednesday, opting for local residents and businesses to follow Gov. Roy Cooper’s executive order. Previously, Mecklenburg’s order was slightly more restrictive.

The transition gives increased flexibility to businesses, including retail, car dealerships, Realtors, vape shops, bookstores, furniture stores and landscaping, among others.

Religious services and counseling are allowed, though gathered are limited to 10 people. But in an exception to promote “human dignity and limit suffering” funerals can have 50 people, officials said.

Mecklenburg will follow Cooper’s guidelines for gradually easing restrictions and restarting the economy — contingent on the availability of coronavirus testing and supply of personal protective equipment, among other benchmarks

The county on Thursday morning also reopened parking lots at greenways, parks and nature preserves. Tennis courts can reopen, but high-contact sports — such as basketball, baseball, soccer and volleyball — are still prohibited.

“At this point, we are not recommending athletic programs, even at parks,” Harris said. “As we move through the phases, that could potentially change, based on what we’re seeing with our data.”

This story was originally published April 30, 2020 at 3:19 PM.