In a briefing on Jan. 6, Roy Cooper, North Carolina’s Governor, announced that the state will extend its current modified stay at home order. The order will go into effect on Jan. 8 at 5 p.m. and remain in effect for another three weeks until Jan. 29. 

A secretarial directive was also put into place by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, M.D.

The secretarial directive urges people to stay at home and only leave for essential purposes and activities. In addition, it reminded people to not gather with people outside of their household especially indoors and to get tested for the coronavirus (COVID-19). 

“There is an alarming amount of virus everywhere in our state. We are in a very dangerous position,” Cohen said. “Every single North Carolinian needs to take immediate action to save lives and protect themselves and each other.”

The current state at home order was put into place on Dec. 11 and required people to stay at home unless doing an essential activity like working, grocery shopping, seeking medical care, etc… In addition, North Carolina residents are required to stay at home between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. 

Restaurants, bars and shops are all still required to close by 10 p.m. to abide by the nightly order. 

The extension of this order comes as North Carolina continues to see an increase in the number of positive COVID-19 virus cases and hospitalizations due to the virus. As of Jan. 6, a record 3,893 North Carolinians have been hospitalized with the COVID-19 virus.