NC “Safer at Home” Phase 2

Citing concerning trending of the state’s key COVID-19 metrics, on Tuesday afternoon, July 14, Governor Roy Cooper announced via press conference that North Carolina will remain paused in “Safer at Home” Phase 2 of the state’s reopening plan. This announcement extends Phase 2 of the cautious and measured easing of restrictions, beyond the July 17 expiration date set forth in Executive Order 141, for an additional three weeks, at minimum. Few words are required in describing the impact of Phase 3’s postponement, because it simply means that things are going to remain static for a while longer. Meanwhile, we the citizens can look forward to progression into Phase 3 while simultaneously engaging in mitigation behaviors that help to prevent a less favorable near future in which trending forces us to step backward into more stringent restrictions on movement and activities.

Of the utmost relevance to Deerfield residents, under current state order, all people 65 years of age or older (or who are otherwise considered at high-risk for severe illness from COVID-19) are “strongly encouraged to stay home and travel only for absolutely essential purposes.”