North Carolina COVID-19 Information Hub
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- Call Hope4NC at 855-587-3463
- Find more ways to get help
Latest News & Information
Public Health
Moving Forward
Employment
Education
Community Help
Travel
State Services
Social Media
Public Health
- Due to the threat of Tropical Storm Isais, some community testing events are being canceled or hours are being changed. Please contact the testing site before arrival to ensure that the site is open.
- The COVID-19 pandemic will add additional challenges and changes to the 2020 hurricane season, which runs until Nov. 30. Find out what you need to know to be prepared.
- A statewide curfew on the sale of alcohol at restaurants goes into effect Friday, July 31, requiring restaurants to stop selling alcoholic drinks after 11 p.m. Bars will remain closed.
- The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services has upcoming events for free community testing as part of the initiative to increase access to COVID-19 testing for African-American, LatinX/Hispanic and American Indian communities that currently have limited testing sites.
- An executive order is in place that requires people to wear face coverings while out in public where physical distancing of 6 feet from other people who are not members of the same household or residence is not possible. There are some exceptions.
- The best ways to help protect yourself and help slow the spread include:
- Consistently practice the 3Ws: wear a cloth face covering; wait 6 feet apart; wash your hands frequently.
- Cooperate with contact tracers if they call.
- Get tested if you have have been exposed or think you have been exposed even if you aren't showing symptoms.
- Stay home if you have or have been exposed to COVID-19.
- Stay home when you can. North Carolina remains under Phase 2 "Safer at Home" restrictions.
Moving Forward
- North Carolina counties this week received an additional $150 million in COVID-19 relief to help pay for medical and public health needs as well as payroll expenses for public safety and health care employees and expenses to help protect public health.
- Gov. Roy Cooper says his administration will soon announce a plan to use funding from the CARES Act to help people with their rent and utility bills.
- North Carolina remains under Safer at Home Phase 2 restrictions until at least Friday, Aug. 7, under Executive Order 151.
- North Carolina schools will open in the fall for both in-person and remote learning with key safety precautions to protect the health of students, teachers, staff and families.
- Gov. Roy Cooper has sent a letter to the North Carolina Congressional Delegation asking for their continued support to address critical needs of the state.
Employment
- Gov. Roy Cooper has urged Congress to extend the weekly $600 Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation benefit, which expired July 25. Those who are owed FPUC for weeks ending April 4 through July 25 will be paid those benefits retroactively. Learn more from the N.C. Division of Employment Security.
- Four unemployment programs will remain in place after July 25: 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.
Education
- 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.
- North Carolina schools will open in the fall for both in-person and remote learning with key safety precautions to protect the health of students, teachers, staff and families.
- Gov. Roy Cooper announced the COVID-19 Student Response Corps Initiative to match North Carolina college students in need of work experience with local governments and nonprofits seeking help to support COVID-19 response efforts.
- Schools scheduled to start in July have been asked to conduct remote learning until a decision is made for in-person learning.
- The State Emergency Response Team is sending personal protective equipment – including 16,500 thermometers, 17,200 face shields, 81,000 gowns and 347,000 surgical masks – to school districts and charter schools across the state for nurses and staff who provide health care for students.
Community Help
- Gov. Roy Cooper orders the extension of the prohibition of utility shut-offs and implements a moratorium on evictions. (View English FAQs | Spanish FAQs)
- North Carolina Food and Nutrition Services participants can now 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 launches an online tool allowing for easier search of resources available for the public.
- North Carolina receives FEMA approval for housing alternatives.
Travel
- North Carolina remains under Safer At Home Phase 2 of lifting COVID-19 restrictions. If 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. Current destinations with various restrictions in place can be VisitNC.com.
- North Carolina state parks and recreation areas, as well as trails, are all open, but visitor centers, picnic shelters and swim areas remain closed. Visit the N.C. State Parks website for the open/closed status of individual parks and recreation areas.
State Services
Social Media
The COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak has been accompanied by a flood of misinformation from unreliable sources. Be thoughtful about what you read or hear about the virus, and make sure you are separating rumor from fact before you act. If you rely on social media for the latest news and information, turn to these reliable resources:
N.C. Department of Health & Human Services: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube
N.C. Emergency Management: Facebook | Twitter
Office of Gov. Roy Cooper: Facebook | Twitter
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Facebook | Twitter
COVID-19 Briefings
Click below for the latest on live COVID-19 briefings from state officials.
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