Mecklenburg Directive Calls For 3 Weeks Of Remote Work, School

CHARLOTTE, NC — County residents should only leave their homes for essential activities and schools and jobs should utilize all virtual options available for the next three weeks, according to a new health directive issued in Mecklenburg County.

The directive also recommends that all gatherings with those outside households be avoided and that residents 65 and older who are at risk for serious illness not leave their homes.

The news comes as public health officials report an average of 900 new COVID-19 cases a day in Mecklenburg County, up from about 100 cases a day reported in September.

"The exponential growth in the number of COVID- 19 cases, hospitalizations and related deaths require action on the part of every member of our community," said Public Health Director Gibbie Harris.

"We're hoping that after three weeks, we will start to see numbers move in the right direction," Harris said Wednesday morning. "We can't continue to maintain at this level," she said.

SEE ALSO: COVID-19 Hospitalizations Surge Near 4,000 Mark In NC

The new directive, issued Tuesday afternoon will remain in effect in Mecklenburg County until at least Feb. 2. Harris said she would prefer to not have to extend it.

The Directive instructs individuals in Mecklenburg County to take several immediate actions including (but not limited to):

• Only leave your home for essential activities and remain at home between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., unless an exception as set forth in the Governor's Executive Order applies.
• Utilize full-virtual options for work, school and any other activity where in-person activity is not required.
• Avoid leaving your home if you are over 65 or at high-risk for developing serious illness.
• Avoid any non-essential travel.
• Avoid gathering with individuals that you do not live with.
• Wear, a cloth face covering, wait 6 feet apart and avoid close contact, and wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer.
• Quarantine and get tested if you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 or have symptoms of COVID-19.
• Answer the call and participate in contact tracing to protect against further spread if you receive a call or text from Mecklenburg County Public Health.
• Get a flu shot and get the COVID-19 vaccine, when it is available to you.

SEE ALSO:

• Clinics Set To Distribute Second-Doses Of Vaccine In Mecklenburg
• Highly Contagious COVID-19 Variant Likely In NC: DHHS Secretary