NC Government and Legislation Information

September 2020

On Friday, September 18, 2020, NC Governor Roy Cooper announced that he is amending his COVID-19 Coronavirus related executive orders for NC public K-12 schools and allowing kindergarten through 5th grade elementary school students and staff to attend school under Plan A which is 100% in-person instruction 5 days a week.

Prior to that decision, NC schools could operate under Plan B which is a hybrid of in-person schooling 2 days a week and online learning 3 days a week, and Plan C which is 100% virtual.

As a function of government, the governor can take immediate legislative action on issues that have immediate, emergency, or pressing ramifications for the public.

Earlier on the same day, Lt. Governor Dan Forest who is running against Roy Cooper in 2020, said that he is moving forward with his plan to draft legislation to open all public schools fully; a promise which is also a part of his gubernatorial campaign.

Governor Cooper’s amended action can be adopted by individual districts, or remain under the current plan, and K-5 parents and guardians can choose to either remain under 100% virtual (Plan C), the hybrid (Plan B), or go with Plan A if the districts agrees with the governor.

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September 2020 Government And Legislation News

On Wednesday, August 26, 2020, NC Attorney General Josh Stein filed a federal lawsuit to stop five companies in NC from gaining permits to begin oil and gas exploration along the NC coastal regions using seismic testing after the Trump administration opened the door to this type of exploration.

Environmentalist say that seismic testing is the precursor to fracking which has unimaginable negative consequences for marine life, aquatic life, sea turtles, and other habitats along the coast.

Attorney General Josh Stein says that this issue is non-partisan given that many municipal leaders along the coast, and who are from large Conservative centers, are opposed to any legislation opening the door to offshore drilling, fracking, and technologies that use mechanical devices to harm natural habitats simply for energy production from fossil fuels.

September 1, 2020 Executive Order Phase 2.5 Reopening

On September 1, 2020, NC Governor Roy Cooper announces via executive order 163 that Phase 2.5 reopening of some businesses at limited capacity while maintaining closed status for others.

Mass gathering events will now allow 25 people indoors and 50 people outdoors. This is an increase from 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors.

Kids playgrounds will now be open providing that children and parents maintain social distancing and face masks.

Museums and aquariums can now 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.

Outdoor visiting at nursing home and skilled care facilities provided that these facilities follow guidelines in place.

Executive order Phase 2.5 begins September 4, 2020 at 5 pm.

filed: NC Legislation and government action information.

September 1, 2020

In July of 2020, NC Governor Roy Cooper used executive order legislation to require restaurants that serve alcohol to have a cut-off time of 11 pm rather than what state law normally calls for which is 2 am. This executive order was put in place amidst the coronavirus pandemic and was instituted to discourage social congregation.

On August 31st, the governor extended his order until October 2nd at which point he and other NC government officials along with health officials will re-assess whether this alcohol restriction can be lifted.

The governor is expected to hold a late afternoon conference on September 1st to address the closure of other businesses including gyms, amusement parks, and some bars and restaurants that do not serve essential foods. These establishments haave been closed since March of 2020.

July 28, 2020 – NC Government Executive Order

On July 28, 2020, NC Governor Roy Cooper issued an executive order ending all alcohol sales after 11 pm staring July 31st. This new executive order is in place for restaurants that are allowed to have 50% occupancy and who are able to operate a bar based on what types of food they sell.

Bars that do not serve food or who serve food not considered essential, are not allowed to be open under previous executive orders during the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic.

The 11 pm curfew on alcohol sales in NC does not apply to convenience stores and grocery stores where alcohol sales are intended for off-site consumption.

This new temporary legislation is intended to decrease the number of people who gather in public places while the NC government deems social distancing a must in response to the Coronavirus.