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ASHEVILLE - Buncombe County is ordering the closure of businesses where people congregate in close proximity for an extended time in an effort to increase social distancing and slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.

The county is also banning all gatherings of 10 or more people.

Board of commissioners Chairman Brownie Newman signed a local state of emergency supplemental declaration during the county's March 19 media briefing.

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The business closure mandate was set to go into effect at 5 p.m. that day. The prohibition of gatherings of 10 or more people was effective immediately. Both apply to the entire county as well as the municipalities within it.

“The decision to further limit public gatherings is not easy," Newman told the Citizen Times in an email. "We are taking this step because (social distancing) is a proven strategy for reducing the spread of Covid-19. By taking these actions now, we are in a better position to navigate this health emergency without overwhelming the capacity of our local medical facilities.”

What businesses, gatherings will be affected?

The mandated business closure affects gyms, fitness centers, exercise facilities, indoor pools, spas, beauty salons, barbershops, movie theaters, live performance venues and arcades.

It does not include grocery stores, pharmacies, convenience stores, hardware markets, gas stations, farmers markets and food distribution sites selling prepared food.

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The prohibition of gatherings to fewer than 10 people includes those in outdoor dining spaces.

It does not include normal operations at medical facilities, airports, bus and train stations, shopping malls, office environments, factories and child care centers.

A supplement to governor's orders

Public Health emergency preparedness coordinator Fletcher Tove said previously the local measure is supplemental to an executive order signed by Gov. Roy Cooper limiting all North Carolina restaurants to take-out and delivery only.

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Cooper also closed K-12 schools statewide and banned all mass gatherings.

Tove said March 19 the county will give a press briefing and issue a release when the order is lifted to make it “very clear to the community."

Read the full declaration here:

Mackenzie Wicker covers Buncombe County for the Asheville Citizen Times. You can reach her at mwicker@citizentimes.com or follow her on Twitter @MackWick.

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