North Carolina COVID-19 Information Hub

Public Health

• The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services has updated guidance to allow indoor visitation at nursing homes that have gone 14 days without a COVID-19 case and in counties with a percent positive testing rate of 10% or less.
• NCDHHS is adding information about antigen testing to the COVID-19 dashboard, including positive COVID-19 cases and deaths diagnosed with an antigen test as well as the number of antigen tests completed daily.
  • View frequently asked questions
  • View COVID-19 Dashboard
• NCDHHS will provide additional benefits through the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program to help families purchase food for children whose access to free and reduced-priced meals at school has been affected by remote learning this fall.
• The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services has launched a COVID-19 exposure notification app called ‘SlowCOVIDNC’ to alert North Carolinians when they might have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. 
• State health officials are urging North Carolina residents to get vaccinated against influenza to help protect themselves, their families and those around them as the state enters flu season amid the COVID-19 pandemic. (Find a flu shot location.)
• An executive order remains in effect, requiring face coverings for anyone in public when physical distancing of 6 feet is not possible.
   
  • View guidance on wearing face coverings
  • View public health guidance for Phase 2

Moving Forward

• Gov. Roy Cooper has announced a $40 million relief program to help eligible small businesses affected by COVID-19 offset costs, such as rent, mortgage interests and utility bills.

• Gov. Cooper will allow large outdoor entertainment venues – those that can seat more than 10,000 – to open, beginning Oct. 2, at 7% capacity with key safety precautions in place.

• North Carolina entered “Safer At Home Phase 2.5" restrictions, at 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4.
   
  • View Executive Order 163
  • View FAQs: English | Spanish
• Gov. Cooper has shared a recommended budget that outlines how to use North Carolina's remaining $900 million in federal coronavirus funding and make responsible investments in the state's future. Read the proposed budget.

Education

• Beginning Oct. 5, North Carolina public school districts and charter schools can choose to implement Plan A for elementary schools (grades K-5), which continues important safety measures, such as face coverings social distancing and symptom screening but does not require schools to reduce the number of children in the classroom. 

  • Summary: In-Person Learning in Public Schools
  • Fact sheet: School Children and COVID-19
  • StrongSchoolsNC Public Health Guidance
  • N.C. Department of Public Instruction Guidance
• The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services has expanded the 24/7 Hope4Healers Helpline (919-226-2002) to teachers, school personnel and their families in need of mental health and resilience supports. Learn more.
• Gov. Roy Cooper directed $95.6 million in new funding intended to provide emergency support to school districts, post-secondary institutions or other education-related entities for addressing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. 
• The N.C. Department of Public Instruction has been awarded a $17.6 million federal grant to develop innovative instructional approaches to better meet student needs during disruptions to schooling, such as the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Employment

• The N.C. Division of Employment Security has started issuing payments for Lost Wages Assistance to eligible North Carolinians. Find out more about Lost Wages Assistance.
• The public can report unemployment fraud online to the N.C. Division of Employment Security. Learn more about unemployment insurance fraud.
• Four unemployment programs remain: State Unemployment Insurance, Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation, Extended Benefits and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance. Learn more about unemployment for individuals.
• Gov. Cooper on April 20 signed Executive Order 134, allowing furloughed workers to be eligible for unemployment benefits.
• On April 9, Gov. Cooper signed Executive Order 131 that makes it easier for employers to file a batch of claims on behalf of their employees, temporarily eliminating some of the hurdles for employers so benefits can get in the hands of those who need them faster.

Community Help

• The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services will provide additional benefits through the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program to help families purchase food for children whose access to free and reduced-priced meals at school has been affected by remote learning this fall. 
• Gov. Roy Cooper has announced a $40 million relief program to help eligible small businesses affected by COVID-19 offset costs, such as rent, mortgage interests and utility bills.
• Gov. Roy Cooper has announced $175 million to assist North Carolinians with rental and utility payment support. Information about how to apply will be available once the programs have launched in the coming weeks.
• Families and caregivers in need of child care for children up to age 12 can call the child care hotline at 1-888-600-1685 to be connected directly to care options in their community that meet their families’ needs.
• North Carolina Food and Nutrition Services participants can use their Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards to buy groceries online at authorized online EBT retailers. 
• Mental health resources are available to help residents cope through the crisis. (Learn more about managing your health.)
• N.C. 211 has launched an online tool allowing for easier search of resources available for the public.

Travel

North Carolina remains under Safer At Home Phase 2 of lifting COVID-19 restrictions.

• If tourism traveling is necessary, travelers should check with local governments to determine whether restrictions are still in place (e.g., beach access, short-term rentals and hotels, visitor centers) and to contact lodging establishments directly for their most up-to-date information.
• Learn about COVID-19 tourism and travel resources, including current destinations with restrictions and things to do at home this summer.
• The U.S. Coast Guard has given approval for the N.C. Department of Transportation’s Hatteras Inlet ferry route to resume service.
• The state's Piedmont passenger rail service between Raleigh and Charlotte has resumed operations.