NC Moves Into 'Phase 2.5': What You Need To Know

NORTH CAROLINA — The Labor Day holiday weekend will usher in looser coronavirus restrictions. North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper's "Phase 2.5" executive order, which eases restrictions on crowd sizes and gym openings, goes into effect Friday, Sept. 4 at 5 p.m.

While some restrictions will loosen, the statewide mask mandate remains in effect.

"We're encouraged to see North Carolina holding steady on most and decreasing on some of our key data metrics," Cooper said earlier this week. "Every time you wear your mask or social distance, you're helping our statewide numbers so we can ease restrictions."

The "Safer at Home, Phase 2.5" executive order includes:

• Limits on mass gatherings will increase to 25 people indoors and 50 people outdoors
• Playgrounds will reopen
• Museums and aquariums can open at 50 percent capacity
• Gyms and other indoor exercise facilities, such as bowling alleys, can open at 30 percent capacity.
• The age requirement for mask wearing will include children down to age 5
• Capacity limits at restaurants, nail salons and hair salons will remain the same
• Remaining closed are bars, nightclubs, movie theaters, indoor entertainment and amusement parks
• The statewide 11 p.m. curfew on alcohol sales extended to Oct. 2.

North Carolina's statewide mask mandate, which has been in effect since late June, remains in effect for everyone in public places, indoor or outdoor, where keeping physical distance from others is not possible.

More information about Phase 2.5 may be found on the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Service's website.