Although Buncombe County’s recently enacted stay-at-home order is set to expire Thursday, April 9, residents shouldn’t expect to resume business as usual once that date arrives. At a March 27 press conference, Gov. Roy Cooper announced a similar order, effective throughout North Carolina at 5 p.m. Monday, March 30, that will stay in effect until Wednesday, April 29 — nearly three weeks longer than the duration of Buncombe’s mandate, an effort to stem the spread of the new coronavirus.
“The sounds of our lives, the school bell or the halftime buzzer: They’re gone. But we have to act now, in the safest, smartest way, when we have the chance to save lives.” Cooper said about his decision and its goal of slowing COVID-19 transmission. “Even with the uncertainty of these times and the new pace of our lifestyles, we know that the good parts of our lives as North Carolinians will return. We fight this disease now so that we are better able to defeat it in the future.”
As with Buncombe County’s order, violation of the state order is a Class 2 misdemeanor, punishable by up to 60 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. Cooper clarified that in instances where the state’s language differs from that of local governments, the more restrictive guidance would apply.
While the 763 confirmed COVID-19 cases in North Carolina currently make up a significantly smaller load than those facing states such as New York and California, said Dr. Mandy Cohen, secretary of the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, the state cannot wait to put restrictions in place. “We don’t have the luxury of time,” she said. “We must act quickly based on what we do know to slow the spread of the virus.”
One Buncombe Fund opens for contributions, grant applications
The rapid relief fund approved on March 24 by the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners is now open for business. Tim Love, the county’s director of intergovernmental relations, announced during a March 27 press conference that OneBuncombe.org was available online to accept community donations to and requests for assistance from the One Buncombe Fund.
Love said the fund, overseen by a seven-member board of directors with representatives from the government, business, banking and philanthropic communities, would begin disbursing money next week. Individuals can apply for direct assistance grants to cover needs such as rent and utilities, while businesses can apply for low-interest loans of up to $10,000 to serve as “bridge” financing until federal and state resources become available.
Kit Cramer, president and CEO of the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce and chair of the new fund, said its balance currently sat at just over $500,000. That money includes a $200,000 challenge grant from residents of Biltmore Lake and The Ramble in South Asheville, as well as a $50,000 contribution from the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority. Community members, businesses and private foundations, she said, were all being asked to chip in.
“Get those kids who are out of school outside with some chalk and busy chalking their driveways and other areas with the #OneBuncombe hashtag,” Cramer asked those watching the press conference. “Let’s bring it to everybody’s attention.”
In other news
- Pardee UNC Health in Hendersonville announced its first case of COVID-19 as of March 27. In addition to its current visitor restrictions, the facility closed its day surgery entrance on Fleming Street as of 5 p.m.
- According to the N.C. Justice Center, more than 195,000 state residents filed for unemployment March 16-26. The surge in claims represented the largest of any two-week period in the state’s history.
- Warren Wilson College closed its trails and campus to all visitors, effective immediately, until further notice. “We so look forward to seeing you again once our beautiful home in the valley reopens to the community,” the college said in a March 27 press release. “Until then know that the animals are well tended, the trees will continue to grow, and our students will continue to make it a better world.”
It would be helpful if the MTX could post the order or at least a synopsis thereof. Presumably, people who are out of food can go to the store and pick up a bag of cat food to share with kitty (since most human food is held by hoarders) and folks who need prescription meds can go get some. What is not clear includes: (a) can I go for a walk in the neighborhood; (b) my primary home is in upstate SC but I have a second home in AVL. Its it illegal to come check on my AVL home if I drive straight to my garage and never go outside the home until I drive back to SC.
Hi Mike, if you click on the link in the article, you can see the entire text of the order. Or you can see it here: https://files.nc.gov/governor/documents/files/EO121-Stay-at-Home-Order-3.pdf
According to the explainer from the state here: https://files.nc.gov/governor/documents/files/200327_FAQ-SAH-Order_FINAL.pdf
“Can I leave my home to exercise?
People are encouraged to maintain healthy lifestyles, including outdoor recreational activity,
such as walking pets and jogging. While exercising, individuals should maintain social distancing
and continue to take protective measures to maintain their personal health and wellbeing.”
Thank you!
I have the same question.
What about the homeless? They already face hard times, worry frighten, and hungry and don’t need a record with the law for not housing when they have no home.
The Buncombe County order had a specific exemption for the homeless – seriously, where are they going to go? I seriously doubt any law enforcement in their right mind are going to start rounding up the homeless using this decree as an excuse…
Thank you, I am one of them and it is not of my choosing. God bless!
Can we mow our grass ,do yard work.
Yes! But lawn services are not allowed per the local order.
I think this was a particularly ill considered move. Condos, apartments, seniors living in their own homes, and other commercial properties, depend on lawn services and lawn services employ people at the low end of the pay scale. Knee high grass is unhealthy for the grass and attracts pests. I’ve owned a condo in BC for 18 years and have never come within 20′ of the yard guys who are always operating VERY noisy equipment. They don’t get very close to each other either. A sensible compromise would be to limit density in vehicles transporting them to the work site.
What about church gatherings/worship services?
While “religious entities” are considered essential operations and will be able to stay open, all gatherings remain limited to no more than 10 people. More details available in the order: https://files.nc.gov/governor/documents/files/EO121-Stay-at-Home-Order-3.pdf