In what amounts to a significant step towards easing restrictions at North Carolina businesses, Governor Roy Cooper announced that NC Executive Order 204 would go into effect this Friday, March 26. Its primary purpose is to establish new guidelines for capacity limits at various places of business.
Wearing a mask while in public and practicing the three “W”s remains crucial to combat COVID-19. These mandates remain in place, on top of the new capacity requirements.
Capacity limits are secondary to maintaining six feet of social distancing. If your stated capacity limit does not permit individuals (or members of a household) to remain six feet apart, then your capacity would be limited to the number allowed with social distancing in effect.
NC Executive Order 204 FAQs
Indoors and Outdoors up to 100%, subject to Masks and 6 ft. social distancing
- Museums and Aquariums
- Retail Businesses
- Salons, personal care and grooming businesses, tattoo parlors
Indoors up to 75% and Outdoors up to 100%, subject to Masks and 6 ft. social distancing
- Restaurants
- Breweries, Wineries, and Distilleries
- Recreation (e.g., bowling, skating, rock climbing)
- Fitness and Physical Activity Facilities (e.g. gyms, yoga studios, fitness centers)
- Pools
- Amusement Parks
Indoors and Outdoors up to 50%, subject to Masks and 6 ft. social distancing
- Bars
- Meeting, Reception, and Conference Spaces
- Lounges (including tobacco) and Night Clubs
- Auditoriums, Arenas, and other venues for live performances
- Sports Arenas and Fields (includes professional, collegiate, and amateur)
- Movie Theaters*
- Gaming Facilities*
*Movie theaters and gaming facilities may operate at 75% capacity outdoors.
