Orange County stay-at-home order starts Friday to limit coronavirus spread
Orange County residents already following the coronavirus recommendations won’t be affected when a new stay-at-home order takes effect Friday night, but it will let law enforcement tell others to go home.
The county officially announced Thursday that Orange County will join at least eight North Carolina communities that have ordered their residents to stay home, including the city of Durham, Mecklenburg and Guilford counties, and the towns of Greensboro and High Point. Wake County is announcing its order Thursday afternoon, and Durham County is making an announcement Friday.
There is a concern, the order says, that “substantial travel” between Orange County and those communities could potentially increase the number of cases, especially because of the “community spread” of the virus in Durham and neighboring counties. People are said to be infected through “community spread” when they don’t know how or when they became infected.
The order also is aimed at limiting the number of people seeking medical care at UNC Hospitals.
“I want to be very clear about this: We need everyone to limit activities outside of the home and to practice social distancing at all times to slow the spread of this highly contagious and potentially deadly virus,” Orange County Health Director Quintana Stewart said.
“We all must do our part to slow the spread of COVID-19 to minimize infections — particularly for those who are elderly or have underlying chronic health conditions — and prevent it from overwhelming our healthcare facilities,” she said. “The more people who take this seriously and stay home, the faster we can return to normal.”
North Carolina had more than 600 coronavirus, or COVID-19, cases as of Thursday morning, including 13 in Orange County.
Orange County’s order will apply to all residents, including in the towns of Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Hillsborough. It will run through April 30, and can be continued or rescinded at any time.
People who violate the order won’t be arrested, Orange County Commissioners Chair Penny Rich said, but the steps taken Thursday are necessary.
“I fully recognize the emotional, financial and economic impact of these decisions, but based on the best science we have available, these measures are necessary,” Rich said. “I have tremendous trust in our ability to follow these guidelines, to save lives and support each other throughout — even as we are physically separated.”
What does this mean for me?
The stay-at-home order prohibits unnecessary travel, such as visiting family and friends other than to provide care, and gathering in groups of more than 10 people. It allows a wide range of other activities, including:
▪ Food and retail: Residents can go to the store for groceries, and get delivery or a takeout order from restaurants. That also includes farmer’s markets and farms, convenience stores, and other stores selling food, pet supplies or other essential household goods.
▪ Businesses: Employees can continue to travel and work for businesses that are deemed “essential.” That includes restaurants and retail; medical care; banks; gas stations, bike shops, auto supply stores and mechanics; mail, food and other delivery services; building, construction and hardware stores; laundry and dry cleaning services; hotels; funeral services; media and communications services; and veterinarians.
Non-essential businesses can continue to operate curbside service, delivery, mail order or online sales, but must observe social distancing and cannot have in-store customers.
▪ Professional services: Legal, accounting, insurance, real estate, notary, and payroll and employee benefit services if necessary or legally required.
▪ Transportation: Travel by air, taxi, ride service is still allowed. Chapel Hill Transit continues to run Saturday service hours Monday through Friday, but no fixed service on Sunday (More information, tinyurl.com/s3la7dc). Orange County Public Transportation is still offering trips for medical appointments and on the Hillsborough Circulator routes (More information, tinyurl.com/skvw98u).
▪ Health care: Residents can go to the pharmacy and pick up prescriptions. Visits to the doctor also are allowed, although residents are urged to check first with their provider or use telemedicine for non-emergencies. Dentist offices still may offer emergency care.
▪ Entertainment: Parks and greenways remain open, although playground equipment has been roped off. People can still go outside for exercise and play, so long as they avoid team and contact sports, and maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet.
▪ Caretakers: Travel is allowed for people who are providing care or transportation for family, friends or pets to allowed destinations.
▪ Human services: Travel is allowed for services that cannot be obtained by phone or online, including senior and disability care, care facilities and shelters, home-based services, and other basic needs related to physical, intellectual, developmental or mental needs.
▪ Child care: Care provided for children of health care and emergency workers, and for workers in “essential” jobs.
Staff writer Josh Shaffer contributed to this report.
