Topics Related to COVID-19

The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to North Carolina small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza announced today. SBA acted under its own authority, as provided by the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act that was recently signed by the President, to declare a disaster following a request received from Gov. Roy Cooper on March 17, 2020.

Governor Roy Cooper today announced NC 2-1-1 by United Way of North Carolina as a resource for people to call for assistance related to the COVID-19 coronavirus. 



NC 2-1-1 is an information and referral service that families and individuals can call to obtain free and confidential information on health and human services resources within their community. NC 2-1-1 operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year and resources are available in most languages. 

State Public Health officials and Emergency Management officials will be available today at 2 p.m. to media regarding COVID-19.

What:  COVID-19 Media Availability

Who: State Public Health Officials, Department of Health and Human Services

        Emergency Management Officials, Department of Public Safety

When: Wednesday, March 18, 2020; 2 p.m.

El día de hoy, el Gobernador Cooper anunció que, a partir de esta tarde del 17 de marzo, 2020, a las 5 pm, los restaurantes y bares de Carolina del Norte cerrarán el servicio a mesas y se limitarán al servicio de alimentos para llevar o entregar. Las tiendas de abarrotes, las gasolineras y las pequeñas tiendas están exentas de esta Orden y permanecerán abiertas, aunque no pueden servir alimentos en mesas.

Today, Governor Roy Cooper announced that North Carolina restaurants and bars will be closed to sit-down service and limited to take-out or delivery orders starting at 5 pm tonight, March 17, 2020. Grocery stores, gas stations, and convenience stores, are exempt from this order and will remain open, though they may not serve sit-down food.

Governor Roy Cooper and members of the Coronavirus Task Force are holding a media briefing today at 2 pm. At that briefing, Governor Cooper will announce a new executive order in response to COVID-19 that closes restaurants and bars for dine-in customers but allows them to continue takeout and delivery orders. The executive order will also include an expansion of unemployment insurance to help North Carolina workers affected by COVID-19.

Governor Roy Cooper requested that the U.S. Small Business Administration grant a disaster declaration for business owners in North Carolina facing economic losses due to the new Coronavirus, COVID-19. 

“I’m asking the SBA for assistance so we can get relief to help business owners in our state weather the economic impacts of COVID-19,” said Governor Cooper. “We know that the new Coronavirus is already impacting businesses and this financial assistance will help.”  

Governor Roy Cooper today ordered all K-12 public schools in North Carolina to close for a minimum of two weeks in response to COVID-19. The Executive Order also bans gatherings of more than 100 people. North Carolina currently has 23 people in 12 counties who have tested positive for COVID-19.

The North Carolina Division of Prisons will suspend visitation to all the state’s prisons effective Monday, March 16 to minimize the health risks from the spread of coronavirus.

We are not aware of any cases of COVID-19 in our Prison system.  However, ensuring staff health and safety is a top priority for the Division of Prisons. On March 10, 2020, Governor Roy Cooper declared a State of Emergency based on the public health emergency created by COVID-19.

Governor Roy Cooper today announced that North Carolina is taking proactive steps to protect the health and wellbeing of our state in the face of growing cases of the coronavirus COVID-19 around the nation and here in North Carolina. Included in today’s guidance is a recommendation to cancel or postpone gatherings over 100 people and telework if possible.