GREENSBORO, N.C. — North Carolina will enter a new phase of easing COVID-19 restrictions. Governor Roy Cooper announced Tuesday the state will enter a Safer at Home Phase 2.5 plan starting on Friday, September 4 at 5:00 p.m.
Phase 2.5 means the following for North Carolina:
- Mass gathering limits will increase to 25 people indoors and 50 people outdoors from the current limit of 10 indoors and 25 outdoors.
- Playgrounds may open.
- Museums and aquariums may open at 50% capacity.
- Gyms and indoor exercise facilities, such as yoga studios, martial arts, and rock climbing, as well as skating rinks, bowling alleys, indoor basketball, volleyball, etc., may open at 30% capacity.
- Bars, nightclubs, movie theaters, indoor entertainment facilities, amusement parks, dance halls will remain closed.
- Large venues remain subject to the mass gathering limits.
“Safer at Home Phase 2.5 continues our state’s dimmer switch approach to easing some restrictions,” Cooper said.
The ease of restrictions will allow gyms, other indoor exercise facilities, playgrounds, museums, skating rinks, bowling alleys and aquariums to reopen at limited capacity.
However, other businesses including bars, nightclubs, movie theaters, indoor entertainment facilities, amusement parks, and dance halls will remain closed.
Cooper said the mask mandates remain in place along with other prevention methods against COVID-19.
“We can do this safely only if we keep doing what we know works — wearing masks and social distancing. In fact, a new phase is exactly when we need to take this virus even more seriously,” Cooper added.
The mass gathering limit will now increase to 25 people indoors and 50 people outdoors from the current limit of 10 indoors and 25 outdoors.
“We can do this safely only if we keep doing what we know works — wearing masks and social distancing. In fact, a new phase is exactly when we need to take this virus even more seriously,” Cooper added.
Dr. Mandy Cohen, Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services said the state has seen stability in key metrics allowing restrictions to ease.
“As we take modest steps forward today, it’s important to remember that moving forward doesn’t mean letting up on slowing the spread of the virus. Our progress is fragile and we need to maintain focus on the 3Ws especially as we head into flu season,” Cohen said.
WFMY News 2 caught up with a couple of gym and fitness facility owners following Tuesday's announcement.
"We have been on pins and needles waiting," said Nicole Bergemann, owner and coach at Training for Warriors in Greensboro, "Honestly I didn’t anticipate getting the green light today. I did a double-take when I was watching the news. I think that many gym owners might feel the same way."
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She's already spoken with many of her members, to gauge interest in what they're comfortable doing. Bergemann says, she's slowly easing back into in-person classes - capping them at 12 people when they do start up again, likely next week.
"We’re planning a little slower transition rather than just opening the doors and making it a free-for-all. This is a group training program versus an open gym where members are coming and going all day," she said, "First and foremost we have really tried to promote a positive and safe place and a way to train whether you’re in your home or in our parking lot. It’s not going to change once we open the doors."
Over in Burlington, Cariann Stafford will also slowly get back to in-person classes at Downtown Yoga and Barre. Before she jumps into anything, she says it's crucial to ensure each one of her customers is safe.
"It's exciting. I also feel a large sense of responsibility," she said, "I think I'm going to start off with some morning classes that would be smaller anyway.
"This is something so new that we're dealing with and I wanted to know as much as I possibly could about how COVID is spread before I open my studio."
North Carolina health officials are watching the following COVID trends to make reopening decisions.
Trajectory in COVID-Like Illness (CLI) Surveillance Over 14 Days
- North Carolina’s syndromic surveillance trend for COVID-like illness continues to decline.
Trajectory of Lab-Confirmed Cases Over 14 Days
- North Carolina’s trajectory of lab-confirmed cases is stable.
Trajectory in Percent of Tests Returning Positive Over 14 Days
- North Carolina’s trajectory in percent of tests returning positive is stable.
Trajectory in Hospitalizations Over 14 Days
- North Carolina’s trajectory of hospitalizations is declining.
Although these numbers are still stable or declining, they remain high. In addition to these metrics, the state continues building capacity to be able to adequately respond to prevent virus spread. These areas include:
Laboratory Testing
- The state continues to have testing capacity and lab turnaround times are averaging two days. However, fewer people are getting tested. Anyone who has symptoms or has been exposed should get tested. There are supports available to help people who may face challenges in being able to miss work or safely stay home.
Tracing Capability
- The state continues hiring contact tracers to bolster the efforts of local health departments.
Personal Protective Equipment
- North Carolina’s personal protective equipment (PPE) supplies are stable.