From Staff Reports 

RALEIGH — Gov. Roy Cooper on Nov. 23 issued additional COVID-19 safety measures to tighten mask requirements and enforcement as cases continue to rise rapidly in North Carolina and across the country. 

Cooper’s Executive Order No. 180, which went into effect at 5 p.m. Nov. 25, runs through 5 p.m. Dec. 11. 

“I have a stark warning for North Carolinians today: We are in danger,” the governor said during a press briefing. “This is a pivotal moment in our fight against the coronavirus. Our actions now will determine the fate of many.”

A press release on the briefing from the governor’s office stated, “In addition to extending Phase 3 capacity limits and safety requirements, the order tightens the existing statewide mask requirement – making it clear that everyone needs to wear a mask whenever they are with someone who is not from the same household. 

“The order also adds the mask requirement to several additional settings including any public indoor space even when maintaining 6 feet of distance; gyms even when exercising; all schools public and private; and all public or private transportation when travelling with people outside of the household. 

“The order also requires large retail businesses with more than 15,000 square feet to have an employee stationed near entrances ensuring mask wearing and implementing occupancy limits for patrons who enter.”

The other main speaker at the briefing, Dr. Mandy Cohen, secretary of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, provided an update on North Carolina’s COVID-19 County Alert System map.

She explained that the alert system map was launched by her agency in response to the rapid rise in cases and hospitalization over the past week.

Since introducing the system in mid-November, Cohen said that 10 more counties have moved into the red category indicating critical community spread. There are now 20 red counties and 42 orange counties. 

The state’s health secretary added, “The coming weeks will be a true test of our resolve to do what it takes to keep people from getting sick, to save lives, and to make sure that if you need hospital care whether it’s for a heart attack or a car accident or COVID-19, you can get it.”

In addition, Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughan spoke at the press briefing to discuss what Greensboro “is doing to step up enforcement of existing, strong statewide safety rules,” the release noted. “State officials have encouraged local governments to take action to require compliance and help lower COVID-19 numbers.”

Also during the briefing, Cohen provided an update on North Carolina’s data and trends as follows:

In addition to these metrics, Cohen said that the state continues building capacity to adequately respond to an increase in virus spread in testing, tracing and prevention.