Gov. Roy Cooper (©CharlotteFive)

As with Mayor Joines’ declaration earlier this week, the entire state of North Carolina is now on a “Stay-at-Home” order from Governor Roy Cooper. Also, as with Mayor Joines’ declaration, you are still allowed to go to the grocery store, order takeout, pickup takeout/curbside/delivery, you can go to the office supply stores and so on. This is not a reason to panic. Actually, very little is different about this than there was before. There is no reason for documentation to prove that you’re either doing something “essential” or work for an “essential” service/business. Stay calm. Don’t hoard everyday items like toilet paper/paper towels/hand sanitizer/sanitizing wipes and so on. We can get these things in stores if people stop hoarding!

Here, in section 19, Governor Cooper’s order lists:

19. Restaurants for consumption off-premises. Restaurants and other facilities that prepare and serve food, but only for consumption off-premises, through such means as in-house delivery, third-party delivery, drive-through, curbside pick-up, and carry-out. Schools and other entities that provide free food services to students or members of the public may continue to do so under this Executive Order when the food is provided for carry-out, drive-through or delivery. This Executive Order is consistent with and does not amend or supersede prior COVID-19 related Executive Orders restricting the operations of restaurants and temporarily closing bars.

To read the entire proclamation, visit here.