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What A Stay-At-Home Order Means For You

Many stores have shuttered their doors as restrictions over the coronavirus remain. This is an empty parking lot at Havertys Furniture in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. KERI BROWN/WFDD

Governor Roy Cooper has issued the closure of schools and some businesses statewide. He's also ordered restrictions for nursing homes and long-term care facilities as concerns over the coronavirus outbreak continue. As of now, Cooper hasn't announced a stay-at-home order statewide.

Multiple municipalities across the state, including the city of Winston-Salem, Forsyth County, and Guilford County are issuing their own to help slow the spread of COVID-19.  So what does that really mean? 

 

Why are local governments putting these stay-at-home measures in place?

They're designed to keep people away from others as much as possible over the next 2 to 3 weeks, which they say will help people maintain the six-foot social distancing guidelines from federal and state health officials and avoid large crowds. Officials say it's really in place to try to protect the healthcare system.

 

What are people allowed to do?

These orders are similar in many communities. You can still go to the grocery store, pharmacy, get gas, and go to doctor's appointments if needed. People are urged to call their doctor first to confirm. If you have to go to work, that's allowed. Exercising outside is also still permitted, but social distancing requirements must be followed.

Spring break is coming up and many people are wondering — can I go to my cabin or the beach if it's open? The answer, according to Winston-Salem officials, is that it's not a good idea. Some beaches are off-limits except to locals and they say to check with your destination because many already have restrictions in place. They say they've even canceled some of their own trips.

Assistant City Manager Damon Dequenne says they don't recommend unnecessary travel right now.

You are not locked into your home. There's no martial law where the police are going to be rolling down your street asking you what you're doing and why you are doing it," says Dequenne. "It's an order to remind the community about social distancing and to limit your trips out only to those that are essential.”

 

What businesses are considered essential?

It can vary depending on where you are located and we'll more than likely see additional closings for businesses as these orders go into effect. Those considered essential would be places like grocery stores, gas stations, some daycare centers, medical facilities, and financial institutions. Other exemptions include laundromats, hardware stores, and businesses that provide agricultural services.

Municipalities are handling this on a case-by-case basis, as they field questions.

For example, car dealerships — it will depend on whom they supply. If they supply law enforcement vehicles or trades type vehicles, they could remain open. If it's a stationary or greeting card shop, they say no, because it's not deemed as essential right now.

It's best to call your local municipality for questions about your business. Some have hotlines and have posted more guidance on their website. What if you disagree about being an essential business? In Winston-Salem, we're told you can appeal to the mayor if you're not happy with closure. Local police will be responsible for enforcing the order.

 

How are these municipalities enforcing the orders?

Community leaders want people to take this seriously. Local police will start with dialogue and educating folks explaining the order. Winston-Salem officials say only the worst cases would get cited. If you are cited for not complying, the city says you could face up to a class 2 misdemeanor.

Emergency management officials say this is an unprecedented time, a situation they've never had to manage before. In the end, they're asking the community for voluntary compliance by minimizing trips and your exposure to others and practice sound social distancing in small groups, as well as practicing good hygiene right now.

Many of these stay-at-home or shelter-in-place orders, including Winston-Salem, will run through April 16th, or until officials modify them.

*Follow WFDD's Keri Brown on Twitter @kerib_news

Keri Brown is a multi-award winning reporter and host at 88.5 WFDD. She has been honored with two regional Edward R. Murrow awards for her stories about coal ash, and was named the 2015 radio reporter of the year by the Radio Television Digital News Association of the Carolinas (RTDNAC).Although she covers a variety of topics, her beats are environmental and education reporting.Keri comes to the Triad from West Virginia Public Broadcasting, where she served as the Chief Bureau Reporter for the Northern Panhandle. She produced stories for the state's Public Television and Radio programs and was honored by the West Virginia Associated Press Broadcasters Association for her feature and enterprise reporting.She also served as an adjunct instructor at Wheeling Jesuit University and Bethany College in West Virginia. She worked with the Center for Educational Technologies in Wheeling, WV, and other NASA centers across the country to develop several stories about the use of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) concepts in the classroom.Keri's journalism career began at WTRF-TV 7 in Wheeling. She worked in several roles at the station, including the head assignment editor. She also was a field producer and assignment manager at WPGH-TV Fox 53 in Pittsburgh.Keri is a graduate of Ohio University. When she's not in the studio or working on a story, she enjoys watching college football with her family, cooking, and traveling.Keri is always looking for another great story idea, so please share them with her. You can follow her on Twitter @kerib_news.

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