RALEIGH – Today, Gov. Roy Cooper said N.C. public schools will be closed through at least May 15, extending his executive order that closed schools on March 14.

In addition, Cooper’s executive order will close all hair salons and barber shops, gyms, movie theaters and similar businesses by 5 PM on Wednesday. Restaurants and bars can be open only for take-out or delivery.

Gov. Cooper said the executive order will reduce the threshold for “mass gatherings” by reducing the number from 100 to 50 people. The 50-person limit based on guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.