Wednesday, Governor Cooper signed Executive Order 209 which outlines safety measures for the month of May. EO 209 will take effect on April 30 and is set to expire June 1. The state anticipates lifting more restrictions on June 1 as more North Carolinians get vaccinated over the next month.
Under the new Executive Order, masks will still be required indoors but are no longer mandated outdoors. Masks are still strongly recommended outdoors by NC DHHS in crowded areas and higher risk settings where social distancing is difficult.
Executive Order No. 209 will also increase mass gathering capacity limits. The number of people who may gather indoors will increase from 50 to 100 and the number of people who may gather outdoors will increase from 100 to 200. Occupancy limits currently in place will remain the same.