COVID-19 Response Resource Center: Timely Counsel for your Business

This week, two different sets of guidance were published that impact employers’ COVID-19 policies.

First, on July 27, 2021, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its guidance to recommend that all persons, including those who are vaccinated, wear masks in indoor public settings in locales with substantial or high community transmission of COVID-19.

Second, on July 29, 2021, Gov. Roy Cooper issued Executive Order No. 224, which “strongly encourage[s]” employers to follow the CDC guidance and also verify the vaccination status of employees and ... Read More 

Today, Governor Roy Cooper issued a new Executive Order 220 extending certain COVID-19 response measures. Among other things, the new Order extends Executive Order 215, which lifted many COVID-19 restrictions, but left in place some face covering mandates. The new Order, which is effective through July 30, 2021, does not change the lifting of mass gathering and social distancing limits detailed in Order 215.  

What were some notable changes made under Order 215?

• Face covering requirements were lifted in most settings.

• Capacity restrictions were lifted in all settings.

• Social ...

This week, Governor Roy Cooper issued a new Executive Order 215 lifting mass gathering and social distancing limits and most mask mandate restrictions imposed due to COVID-19. The new Order is effective on May 14, 2021 at 1:30 p.m. and extends through 5 p.m. on June 11, 2021.

What are some notable changes under the Order?

• Face covering requirements are lifted in most settings.
• Capacity restrictions are lifted in all settings.
• Social distancing requirements have been lifted in most settings.

What remains the same?

• People can continue to wear face coverings, which are recommended ...

This week, Governor Roy Cooper issued a new Executive Order 209 relaxing the outdoor mask mandate and easing the mass gathering limit restrictions imposed due to COVID-19. The new Order is effective on April 30, 2021 at 5 p.m. and extends through 5 p.m. on June 1, 2021.

What are some notable changes under the Order?

• It lifts the requirement that face coverings be worn outdoors anytime that social distancing of at least six feet cannot consistently be maintained from non-household members. Under the Order, face coverings are no longer required in any outdoor setting.
• The indoor mass ...

This week, Governor Roy Cooper issued a new Executive Order 204, which further eased various restrictions imposed due to COVID-19. However, the state’s general mask mandate remains in effect.

Among other things, the Order:

• increases mass gathering limits – the new limit for indoor gatherings is 50 people, and up to 100 people may gather outdoors;

• lifts the restriction on the late-night sale and service of alcoholic beverages on bars, restaurants, and other establishments;

• establishes three general categories of occupancy restrictions – up to 100% capacity ... Read More 

This week, Governor Roy Cooper tightened mask requirements and enforcement and again extended North Carolina’s Phase 3.0 COVID-19 restrictions. His new Executive Order 180 is effective on Nov. 25, 2020 at 5 p.m. and extends Phase 3.0 restrictions (first detailed in Executive Order 169) through 5 p.m. on Dec. 11, 2020.

What are the major changes under this Order?

Under this Order:

• A face covering will now be required in all indoor settings if there are non-household members present, regardless of the distance away.

      o Under previous executive orders, face coverings were ... Read More 

Governor Roy Cooper this week issued Executive Order 147). The Order extends until 5:00 p.m. on July 17 the “Safer at Home” Phase 2 of the State’s plan to respond to the COVID-19 virus. Cooper cited a number of metrics, including an increase in the number of new virus cases and people hospitalized due to the virus, as reasons to extend Phase 2.

The new Executive Order extends and amends Executive Order 141, which had targeted June 26 for a move to Phase 3. Instead of moving to Phase 3, EO 147 maintains current Phase 2 restrictions on the opening of facilities such as public ... Read More