North Carolina could be feeling a lot more back to normal soon, as Governor Roy Cooper announced a timeline for many of the NC mandatory restrictions being lifted by the beginning of June.
Cooper said that as long as trends continue to stay positive, and vaccinations continue to increase around the state, social distancing, capacity and mass gathering restrictions would be lifted by June 1.
“With increasing vaccinations and ongoing work to slow the spread, I anticipate we’ll be able to lift all mandatory social distancing, capacity & mass gathering restrictions by June 1,” Cooper said. “I plan to issue an Executive Order next week outlining safety restrictions for the month of May.”
With increasing vaccinations and ongoing work to slow the spread, I anticipate we'll be able to lift all mandatory social distancing, capacity & mass gathering restrictions by June 1. I plan to issue an Executive Order next week outlining safety restrictions for the month of May.
— Governor Roy Cooper (@NC_Governor) April 21, 2021
Cooper said that a new executive order will be issued next week to cover the month of May, and that he does not expect the mask mandate to be removed yet. While many of the NC restrictions are expected to be lifted, the need for vaccinations across the state was stressed.
“We all know what we need to do to move beyond this. Wear our masks. Be responsible. Use good judgment. Get vaccinated,” Cooper said. “We are so close. Together we will get through this and come out stronger on the other side.”