PRACTICE THE THREE Ws WHEN VISITING EDENTON

Effective March 26, 2021, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper eased several restrictions as part of Phase 3 of his three-phased approach to reopen the state for business following the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.

While the new executive order keeps the mask mandate and six-feet social distancing in place, it allows the following attractions and businesses to operate at 100 percent capacity: museums, aquariums, retail businesses, salons and personal care businesses.

Furthermore, the following places may operate at 75 percent capacity indoors and 100 percent capacity outdoors: restaurants, wineries, breweries, distilleries, bowling alleys, skating rinks, fitness facilities, pools and amusement parks.

These businesses/places can now operate at 50 percent capacity indoors and outdoors: bars, meeting and conference facilities, movie theaters, auditoriums, arenas, lounges and night clubs.

The 11 p.m. curfew for on-site alcohol consumption has been lifted, and mass gathering limits have increased to 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors.

Meanwhile, Gov. Cooper's face covering mandate, instituted in late June 2020, remains in effect. Face coverings are required in public for everybody over the age of 5, unless a medical exception applies.

In Edenton, we strongly encourage everybody -- locals and visitors -- to practice the Three W's (see graphic at top of page). Those three W’s are: (1) WEAR a cloth face covering; (2) WAIT six feet apart to maintain social distance; and (3) WASH hands often for at least 20 seconds (or use sanitizer).

Here are the key protocols for Phase 3 in NC:

  • Face coverings are still mandatory for everybody over the age of 5
  • Limits on gatherings are now 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors
  • Museums, aquariums, retail businesses, salons and personal care businesses can operate at 100 percent capacity
  • Restaurants, wineries, breweries, distilleries, bowling alleys, skating rinks, fitness facilities, pools and amusement parks can operate at 75 percent capacity indoors and 100 percent capacity outdoors
  • Bars, meeting and conference facilities, movie theaters, auditoriums, arenas, lounges and night clubs can operate at 50 percent capacity indoors and outdoors
  • Cutoff of alcohol sales for in-person consumption returns to its normal time of 2 a.m. nightly

There are a few exceptions to Gov. Cooper's face covering mandate:

  • Masks are not required for people in the same household in public if they are able to social distance 6 feet from others
  • Masks are not required for people with medical conditions and children under 5
  • Masks are not required for people who are walking outdoors, or otherwise exercising, and maintaining a social distance of 6 feet from others

Like other NC destinations, we ask visitors to practice safe measures in public spaces. Please note, the visitor experience can differ from place to place. Each attraction and business has protocols to provide a positive guest experience while being mindful of employee safety and overall public health. Please be patient. These protocols require an extra bit of effort on everybody's part.

If you are not yet comfortable returning to travel, feel free to use this website as a guide for planning future trips to Edenton/Chowan County, NC.

For the latest COVID-19 updates from the NC Dept. of Health and Human Services, click here

The Town of Edenton website

Chowan County website

  

Check back regularly for new and updated information.