RALEIGH - Some measures already taken by Buncombe County will now be enforced statewide as a result of Gov. Roy Cooper's latest executive order.

Gatherings of 50 people or more are prohibited as enforceable by local law officials, including sheriff's deputies and police officers. Exemptions are allowed for the following:

Airports, bus and train stations

Medical facilities

Shopping malls

Grocery stores

Child care facilities

Offices and factories

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Entertainment facilities without a retail or dining component are ordered to close at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 25, although facilities with a dining component are allowed to continue restricted services. Examples of facilities affected include, but are not limited to:

Indoor exercise facilities (gyms, yoga studios, martial arts facilities, indoor trampoline and rock climbing facilities)

Live performance venues

Movie theaters

Spas

Indoor/outdoor pools

Bingo parlors (including those operated by charitable organizations)

Gaming and business establishments that allow gaming (video poker, etc.)

Bowling alleys, skating rinks

More:Coronavirus: What Buncombe businesses are required to close due to the county's mandate?

Personal care and grooming businesses statewide are also required to close at that time. Under the executive order, that includes but isn't limited to:

Barber shops and hair salons

Beauty salons (including waxing and hair removal centers)

Nail salons, manicure/pedicure providers

Massage parlors

Tattoo parlors

Violations of the closure orders are punishable as a Class 2 misdemeanor, the governor's statement said.

Elizabeth Anne Brown is the trending news reporter for the Citizen Times. Reach her at eabrown@citizentimes.com, or follow her on Twitter @eabrown18.

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