Executive Order 163: Phase 2.5, Secretarial Order No. 3

On September 1, 2020, Governor Cooper signed Executive Order 163 (PDF), which contains revised prohibitions and restrictions that move the state in Safer at Home Phase 2.5 measures. Face covering mandates and other prevention measures remain in place.

View Executive Order 163 FAQs

On September 1, Dr. Mandy Cohen also signed Secretarial Order 3 (PDF) regarding nursing home visitation.

Executive Order 147: Extension of Phase 2 Order and New Measures to Save Lives in the COVID-19 Pandemic

On June 24, 2020, Governor Cooper signed Executive Order 147 (PDF), which extends Executive Order 141’s Safer At Home restrictions and requires people, with some exceptions, to wear face coverings in public when social distancing is not possible.

View Executive Order 147 FAQs (PDF)

Executive Order 141: Easing Restrictions on Travel, Business Operations, and Mass Gatherings

On May 20, 2020, Governor Cooper signed Executive Order 141 (PDF), which lifts the statewide Stay at Home Order and moves the state to a Safer At Home recommendation.

Executive Order 138: Easing Restrictions on Travel, Business Operations, and Mass Gatherings

On May 5, 2020, Governor Cooper signed Executive Order 138 (PDF), which eases restrictions on travel, business operations, and mass gatherings.

View Executive Order 138 FAQs (PDF)

View Phase 1 Side-by-Side Comparison to Current Restrictions (PDF)

Executive Order 134: Extension of Stay at Home Order

On April 23, 2020, Governor Cooper signed Executive Order 134 (PDF), which extends the Stay at Home Order until May 8, 2020. Orders limiting mass gatherings, requiring social distancing, restricting visitation at long-term care facilities, closing dine-in for restaurants, and closure of other non-essential businesses have also been extended through May 8, 2020.

Executive Order 131: Social Distancing, Long-Term Care Rules, and Unemployment Benefits Process

On April 9, 2020, Governor Cooper took action to the address the spread of COVID-19 by issuing stronger social distancing requirements and speeding up the process to get benefits to people out of work through Executive Order No. 131(PDF).

This Order offers clear requirements that essential businesses must implement in order to safeguard the health of customers and employees. Some of the directives include:

Setting limits of how many people can be in a store at one time, 5 people per 1,000 square feet of retail space or 20% of fire marshal posted occupancy limits

Marking 6 feet of distance for areas where people gather like checkout lines

Requiring specific cleaning measures for retail stores

The Order encourages:

Implementing hygiene recommendations for employees and customers, like hand sanitizer at the doors and face coverings for workers

Establishing designated shopping times designated for high-risk groups

Creating barriers between customers and employees at checkout to lower the risk of required interactions

View Executive Order 131 FAQs (PDF)

Executive Order 124: Prohibiting Utility Shut-offs and Fees

On March 31, 2020, Governor Cooper signed into action Executive Order 124 (PDF) directing utilities to give residential customers at least six months to pay outstanding bills and prohibiting them from collecting fees, penalties or interest for late payment.

Executive Order 121: Stay at Home

On Friday, March 27, 2020, Governor Cooper signed into action Executive Order 121 (PDF). The provisions of this order are effective Monday, March 30, 2020, at 5 p.m. and continue through April 29, 2020, unless otherwise extended. The order provides the following guidance:

Prohibition of mass gatherings is for more than 10 persons

Non-essential businesses are ordered to close

People should stay at their residence and limit social interactions and travel for essential activities or essential business purposes.

Individuals may leave their homes to care for a family member or friend, or to help their family member or friend get essential goods or receive necessary health care. Individuals should not visit with friends or family members if there is no urgent need.

View Executive Order 121 FAQs (PDF)

Executive Order 120: Limitations on Mass Gatherings, Restrictions on Venues & Long Term Care Facilities, & Extension of School Closure Date

On March 23, 2020, Governor Cooper signed into action Executive Order 120 (PDF), which will take effect at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 25, 2020. The order provides the following guidance:

Prohibition of mass gatherings is for more than 50 persons

Entertainment facilities (bingo parlors, ice skating rinks, gyms, theaters, etc.) are ordered to close at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Personal care and grooming businesses (barber shops, salons, tattoo parlors, etc.) are also ordered to close

Appropriate local governmental agencies are directed to continue to serve and protect the public

Long term care facilities must restrict visitation of all visitors and non-essential health care personnel except for certain compassionate care situations

Public school closures are extended until at least May 15, 2020

View Executive Order 120 FAQs (PDF)

Executive Order 118: Restaurant & Bar Restrictions

In response to questions regarding Executive Order 118, a set of Frequently Asked Questions was issued on March 20th.