North Carolina Moves Into Safer at Home Phase 2 Tomorrow

Yesterday in a press conference, Governor Roy Cooper announced North Carolina would be moving into Safer at Home Phase 2 on Friday, May 22 at 5 p.m. After two weeks in Phase 1, the state’s overall key indicators remain stable but the continued increases in daily case counts signal a need to take a more modest step forward in Phase 2 than originally envisioned. The phase runs through at least Friday, June 26 unless changed or canceled. Some key changes include: 

• Phase 2 lifts the Stay At Home order moving into a Safer At Home recommendation, especially for people at high risk for serious illness. Teleworking is also urged when possible. 
• Mass gathering limits in Phase 2 will be no more than 10 people indoors or 25 people outdoors in most circumstances. These limits apply to the following: event venues; conference centers; stadiums and sports arenas; amphitheaters; and groups at parks or beaches. 
• Some businesses will remain closed in Phase 2 including: bars; night clubs; gyms and indoor fitness facilities; indoor entertainment venues such as movie theaters, and bowling alleys. 
• Certain businesses will be open at limited capacity with other requirements and recommendations including: restaurants (see guidance) are to limit the number of customers in indoor and outdoor seating areas (See Executive Order 141) along and adherence with distancing and cleaning requirements; personal care businesses, including salons and barbers, at 50% capacity with distancing and cleaning requirements; pools at 50% capacity with distancing and cleaning requirements. Employees of personal care businesses (grooming, massage, and tattoo businesses) will be required to wear face coverings and put at least six feet of distance between customers at 50 percent reduced occupancy. 
• Indoor and outdoor pools can open with 50 percent reduced occupancy while following specific public health requirements
• Childcare facilities, day camps and overnight camps are allowed to be open with enhanced cleaning and screening requirements. Retail businesses allowed to open in Phase 1 at 50% capacity will continue at that level. 
• Public health recommendations are provided for worship services to practice enhanced social distancing and other cleaning and hygiene practices.

More information on Safer at Home Phase 2 can be found in Executive Order 141 or in Frequently Asked Questions about Executive Order 141. 

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Dare County Department of Health & Human Services
Announces COVID-19 Drive-thru Testing

In an effort to increase testing for COVID-19 the federal and state governments are encouraging mass testing collection sites. Currently, in Dare County there have not been any sites selected for a federally assisted testing site, however, Dare County Department of Health & Human Services wants to provide community-based testing opportunities for our residents. Dare County has partnered with Macko Medical Laboratories out of Raleigh, NC to host drive-thru COVID-19 specimen collections in Dare County.  

The first collection event will be held on Tuesday, May 26, 2020 starting at 1:30 pm at First Flight High School located at 100 Veterans Dr, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948. Appointments are required. The event will be set up to provide a total of 200 tests. Dare County Department of Health & Human Services, will receive test results from Macko Medical Laboratories and call individuals to provide them with their results within 72 hours of the event. 

This event is open to permanent residents of Dare County, ages 10 and older. This is not a free event, however, individuals with insurance will not incur any out of pocket cost as the COVID-19 test is completely covered, no deductible and no co-pays. All insurances cover the COVID-19 diagnostic test, including Medicaid and Medicare. Participants are required to bring a government-issued identification card and insurance card. Macko Medical Laboratories will work with anyone who is uninsured to assist with the cost of testing. More information will be provided to those without insurance when they call to register for an appointment.

Individuals who participate need to understand they are coming to a community-based testing site located in a public location and therefore patient privacy cannot be assured. All results will, however, be confidential. To schedule an appointment, please call 252.475.5008. 

If you have symptoms of COVID-19, please call your healthcare provider’s office. Do not wait for this drive-thru testing opportunity to get tested. For more information on testing locations in Dare County please visit darenc.com/covidtesting.