Buncombe County to begin first phase of reopening tomorrow

Officials sign order easing business restrictions, continue limits on leisure tourism

As part of the first phase of reopening the local economy, retail businesses in Buncombe County will begin welcoming customers on May 8. Fred McCormick

Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
May 7, 2020

A revision to Buncombe County’s emergency order in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, signed today by county commission chair Brownie Newman, will allow many businesses to open their doors to the public once again, beginning at 5 p.m., Friday, May 8.

The move, which officials say is intended to more closely align the county with the State’s phased plan to restart the economy, will continue to restrict leisure travel to the area. 

Two days after Governor Roy Cooper issued Executive Order 138, signalling the beginning of the first of a three-phase process easing restrictions designed to keep residents at home through the public health crisis, Newman touted the county’s early actions to contain the virus. 

“Currently, of the 10 largest counties in N.C., Buncombe County has the lowest rate of documented COVID-19 cases and one of the lowest rates of hospitalization and fatalities,” he said. “We believe the fact that Buncombe County was an early adopter of an emergency order to defer non-essential gatherings has made a positive difference.”

As businesses begin the process of reopening, Newman continued, the county must utilize safety protocols to balance restoring the economy and keeping the contagion at manageable levels. 

“The county, and all of our municipalities, will be implementing the same State policies in regard to the business sectors that are open and the safety protocols that need to be followed,” he said. “The one sector where Buncombe County and our municipal partners will continue to set specific limits for reopening is leisure tourism.”

The order, which remains in place through 5 p.m., Friday, May 22, eases restrictions on travel, business operations and mass gatherings, according to Buncombe County Emergency Preparedness Director Fletcher Tove. 

“Our stay-at-home order remains in effect. Everyone should still stay home as much as possible, but the variety of reasons people are allowed to leave their homes has been expanded,” he said. 

Tove emphasized “the three W’s” — wear a cloth face covering, wait six feet apart and wash hands or use hand sanitizer often — when going out in public. 

The distinction between essential and non-essential businesses is limited with Phase I of the plan, allowing most retail businesses that are capable of complying with social distancing requirements to operate at 50% capacity. 

The order also permits county residents to leave their homes for a wider range of business purposes and encourages state, county and city parks and trails to reopen. The measure also allows for outdoor gathering of up to 10 people, with social distancing requirements, and opens childcare to working families. 

Restaurants, bars, breweries and other similar businesses remain closed to dine-in customers but may continue take-out and curbside service. Salons, and personal care and beauty services also remain closed during Phase I.

“Basically, if your service delivery requires you to be in close contact with someone, you must remain closed,” Tove said. “Health clubs, fitness centers, gyms and other indoor exercise facilities remain closed, to include yoga studios, martial arts facilities, indoor trampoline and rock-climbing facilities.”

Entertainment venues and indoor and outdoor pools, will also continue to be prohibited from operating during the first phase. 

In addition to the decreased occupancy, retail establishments are required to direct employees and patrons to remain six feet apart at all times, with the exception of the point of sale. Businesses are required to mark six feet of space for lines in high-traffic areas and perform “frequent and routine” cleaning and disinfecting. 

Employers must conduct daily symptom screenings of employees and send any symptomatic staff home. 

“They must have a plan in place to immediately isolate any employee at work who develops symptoms,” Tove said. “And, they must post signage at main entrances to remind people about recommendations to promote social distancing and reduce transmission.”

Signage, employee screening logs and additional resources for retailers can be found at buncombeready.org. 

Buncombe County will deviate from the State order by continuing to prohibit leisure travel from outside of the 828 area code. 

“Lodging providers can now book rooms for residents of the 828 area codes for leisure travel,” Tove said. “They can also start taking future leisure bookings from outside of the 828 area code, beginning May 22, but they must assume the risk that either state or local guidance may change, be extended or modified.”

Like retail, occupancy lodging is limited to 50% capacity, which applies to hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, hostels, homestays and campgrounds. 

The order permits indoor and outdoor funerals, limited to no more than 50 people, and with social distancing measures in place. Worship services may include more than 10 people, if held outdoors. Those gatherings are also subject to physical distancing guidelines. 

While the county has made progress in slowing the virus, according to Tove, who cited its “relatively low case count,” COVID-19 remains a global health pandemic. 

“It takes all of us working together, following public health guidance, to safeguard our communities,” he said. “Buncombe County’s response continues to be driven by data, science and facts. Let’s be safe, let’s be smart and let’s take this step-by-step.”