Governor Roy Cooper has issued an Executive Order lifting the state's indoor mask mandate for most settings. Additionally, the state will lift all mass gathering limits and social distancing requirements. Masks will still be required in some settings including child care, schools and camps, public transportation, and healthcare settings like hospitals, doctors offices, and long-term care settings. Private businesses may still require guests to wear masks in their establishments. Executive Order 215 goes into effect at 1:30pm on Friday, May 14th, and remains in effect through 5:00pm on Friday, June 11th, unless repealed, replaced, or rescinded by another applicable Executive Order. For more information on Executive Order 215, please click here. For a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) regarding Executive Order 215, please click here. To view Executive Order 215, please click here.

Updated 5/14/2021

Governor Roy Cooper issued an Executive Order. Under the new Executive Order, masks will still be required indoors but are no longer mandated outdoors. Masks are still strongly recommended outdoors by NC DHHS in crowded areas and higher risk settings where social distancing is difficult. Executive Order No. 209 will also increase mass gathering capacity limits. The number of people who may gather indoors will increase from 50 to 100 and the number of people who may gather outdoors will increase from 100 to 200. Occupancy limits currently in place will remain the same. Executive Order 209 goes into effect at 5:00pm on Friday, April 30th, and remains in effect through 5:00pm on Tuesday, June 1st, unless repealed, replaced, or rescinded by another applicable Executive Order. For more information on Executive Order 209, please click here. For a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) regarding Executive Order 209, please click here. To view Executive Order 209, please click here.

Updated 4/29/2021

Governor Roy Cooper issued an Executive Order beginning a Modified Stay at Home Order requiring people to stay at home between 10 pm and 5 am. The Order requires restaurants, bars, entertainment venues, personal care businesses and more to close at 10pm. Travel to and from work, to obtain food, medical care, fuel or social services, or to take care of a family member is exempted. Executive Order 181 goes into effect at 5:00pm on Friday, December 11th, and remains in effect through 5:00pm on Friday, January 8th, unless repealed, replaced, or rescinded by another applicable Executive Order. For more information on Executive Order 181, please click here. For a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) regarding Executive Order 181, please click here. To view Executive Order 181, please click here.

Updated 12/8/2020

Governor Roy Cooper issued an Executive Order tightening mask requirements and extending Phase 3 capacity limits and safety requirements. The Order states 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. Executive Order 180 goes into effect on Wednesday, November 25th, and remains in effect through Friday, December 11th, unless repealed, replaced, or rescinded by another applicable Executive Order. For more information on Executive Order 180, please click here. For a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) regarding Executive Order 180, please click here. To view Executive Order 180, please click here.

Updated 11/23/2020

Governor Roy Cooper issued an Executive Order extending Phase 3, and announcing that the indoor mass gathering limit will be lowered to 10 people in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. Executive Order 176 goes into effect at 5:00pm on Friday, November 13th, and remains in effect through 5:00pm on December 4th, unless repealed, replaced, or rescinded by another applicable Executive Order. For more information on Executive Order 176, please click here. For a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) regarding Executive Order 176, please click here. To view Executive Order 176, please click here.

Updated 11/12/2020

Governor Roy Cooper issued an Executive Order moving North Carolina into Phase 3, further easing some restrictions on certain businesses and mass gatherings. Executive Order 169 goes into effect at 5:00pm on Friday, October 2nd, and remains in effect through 5:00pm on Friday, October 23rd, unless repealed, replaced, or rescinded by another applicable Executive Order. For more information on Executive Order 169, please click here. For a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) regarding Executive Order 169, please click here. To view Executive Order 169, please click here.

Updated 10/1/2020

Governor Roy Cooper issued an Executive Order moving North Carolina into Safer at Home Phase 2.5, which further eases some restrictions on certain businesses and mass gatherings. Executive Order 163 goes into effect at 5:00pm on Friday, September 4th, and remains in effect through 5:00pm on Friday, October 2nd, unless repealed, replaced, or rescinded by another applicable Executive Order. For more information on Executive Order 163, please click here. For a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) regarding Executive Order 163, please click here. To view Executive Order 163, please click here.

Updated 9/2/2020

Governor Roy Cooper issued an Executive Order extending Safer at Home Phase 2 measures for an additional five weeks. Executive Order 155 goes into effect at 5:00pm on Friday, August 7th, and remains in effect through 5:00pm on Friday, September 11, unless repealed, replaced, or rescinded by another applicable Executive Order. For more information on Executive Order 155, please click here. To view Executive Order 155, please click here.

Updated 8/6/2020

Governor Roy Cooper issued an Executive Order stopping the sale of alcoholic drinks in restaurants, breweries, wineries, and distilleries at 11:00pm. North Carolina bars that are currently closed will remain closed. Executive Order 153 goes into effect at 11:00pm on July 31, and remains in effect until August 31, unless repealed, replaced, or rescinded by another applicable Executive Order. For more information on Executive Order 153, please click here. To view Executive Order 153, please click here.

Updated 7/29/2020

Governor Roy Cooper issued an Executive Order extending Safer at Home Phase 2 measures in the state. Executive Order 151 goes into effect at 5:00pm on Friday, July 17th, and remains in effect until 5:00pm, August 7, 2020, unless repealed, replaced, or rescinded by another applicable Executive Order. To view Executive Order 151, please click here.

Updated 7/29/2020

Governor Roy Cooper issued an Executive Order extending Safer at Home Phase 2 and implementing new statewide requirements for face coverings. Executive Order 147 goes into effect at 5:00pm on Friday, June 26th, and remains in effect until 5:00pm, July 17th, unless repealed, replaced, or rescinded by another applicable Executive Order. For more information on Executive Order 147, please click here. For information on the requirements for the use of face coverings and masks, please click here. For a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) regarding Executive Order 147, please click here. To view Executive Order 147, please click here.

Updated 6/25/2020

Governor Roy Cooper issued an Executive Order extending the prohibition on utility shut-offs and implementing a 3-week moratorium on evictions. The Order goes into effect immediately (effective 5/30/2020). For a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding Executive Order 142, please click here. To view Executive Order 142, please click here.

Updated 6/1/2020

Governor Roy Cooper issued an Executive Order which moves the State to Phase 2 (Easing of Restrictions) in the State’s ongoing response to COVID-19. EO141 is effective 5:00pm on Friday, May 22^nd and expires at 5:00pm on Friday, June 26^th unless repealed, replaced or rescinded. For a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding Executive Order 141, please click here. For additional NCDHHS guidance for various businesses and sectors, please click here. To view Executive Order 141, please click here.

Updated 5/21/2020

Governor Roy Cooper issued an Executive Order which puts in place "Phase One" of easing COVID-19 restrictions. While the Governor’s Stay-at-Home Order remains in effect, this Executive Order increases the number of reasons people are permitted to leave and eases some other restrictions. Executive Order 138 goes into effect at 5:00 PM on Friday, May 8th, and remains in effect through 5:00 PM on Friday, May 22nd, unless otherwise modified or rescinded. For a side-by-side comparison of current restrictions and Phase One restrictions, please click here. For a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding Executive Order 138, please click here. To view Executive Order 138, please click here.

Updated 5/6/2020

Governor Roy Cooper issued an Executive Order extending North Carolina’s Stay At Home order through May 8. The orders extending closure of restaurants for dine-in service and bars and closure of other close-contact businesses are also extended through May 8. To view Executive Order 135, please click here. For more information about Executive Order 135, and for information about North Carolina’s plan to begin lifting restrictions in phases, please click here.

Updated 4/23/2020

Governor Roy Cooper issued an Executive Order establishing additional policies for retail establishments, further risk mitigation measures at long term care facilities, and new processes to expedite payment of unemployment insurance claims. To view Executive Order 131, please click here. For a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) about Executive Order 131, please click here.

Updated 4/13/2020

Governor Roy Cooper issued an Executive Order that provides emergency flexibility to expand hospital beds, equipment and personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic. To view Executive Order 130, please click here.

Updated 4/9/2020

Governor Roy Cooper issued an Executive Order which assists North Carolinians by prohibiting utility shut-offs, late fees, and reconnection fees. The order provides guidance about restrictions on evictions, and encourages telecommunications providers, banks, and mortgage services to provide assistance and flexibility to their customers. To view Executive Order 124 please click here. For a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Executive Order 124, please click here.

Governor Roy Cooper issued an Executive Order which amended Executive Order 40 by extending the North Carolina Early Childhood Advisory Council. To view Executive Order 123 please click here.

Governor Roy Cooper issued an Executive Order which authorizes the transfer or donation of surplus State property to any state agency, political subdivision of the State, or public school system in the State. The order also authorizes donations of personal protective equipment and other healthcare supplies. To view Executive Order 122 please click here.

Updated 4/1/2020

Governor Roy Cooper issues Executive Order 121, a statewide Stay at Home Order beginning Monday, March 30 at 5 p.m. until April 29, 2020. The Executive Order directs people to stay at home except to visit essential businesses, to exercise outdoors or to help a family member. Specifically, the order bans gatherings of more than 10 people and directs everyone to physically stay at least six feet apart from others. Read the press release and the FAQs.

Updated 3/27/2020

Governor Roy Cooper issued an Executive Order that orders tighter limits on gatherings and extends school closures statewide to May 15, 2020. This order also closes some businesses that require close social interaction and limits visitors to long-term care centers. To view Executive Order 120 please click here.

Updated 3/24/2020

Governor Roy Cooper issued an Executive Order to increase access to child care as well as DMV Clarifications.  Executive Order 119 can be found here.  For more information regarding this executive order, please click here. 

Updated 3/21/2020

Governor Roy Cooper announced an 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 also includes an expansion of unemployment insurance to help North Carolina workers affected by COVID-19. This order became effective at 5 pm, Tuesday, March 17, 2020. For more information please click here. To view the executive order (#118) limiting operations of restaurants and bars and broadening unemployment insurance benefits in response to COVID-19 please click here.

For a list of Frequently Asked Questions ("FAQ") regarding Executive Order 118 issued 3/17/20 please click here.

Updated 3/20/2020

To view the executive order (#117) prohibiting mass gatherings and directing the statewide closure of K-12 public schools to limit the spread of COVID-19 please click here.

For a list of Frequently Asked Questions ("FAQ") regarding Executive Order 117 issued 3/14/20 please click here.

Updated 3/17/2020