BREAKING: Gov. Cooper Says Schools Closed Through at Least May 15
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - FEBRUARY 19: Clinical support technician Douglas Condie extracts viruses from swab samples so that the genetic structure of a virus can be analysed and identified in the coronavirus testing laboratory at Glasgow Royal Infirmary, on February 19, 2020 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Jane Barlow - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Gov. Roy Cooper announced Monday that public schools in the state will be closed for in-person instruction through at least May 15. The Governor announced the change, along with a host of other changes to his executive order, in a news conference Monday.
. @NC_Governor: Therefore, today I will sign an executive order that closes public K-12 schools across North Carolina for in-person instruction until May 15.
— NCDHHS (@ncdhhs) March 23, 2020
. @NC_Governor: We arrived at May 15 by looking at the CDC and public health guidance, but as you know this is a rapidly evolving health crisis and if the guidance changes, we will adjust the order.
— NCDHHS (@ncdhhs) March 23, 2020
Of note from the news conference:
- 297 confirmed cases in the state in 45 counties
- Cases increasing and testing increasing, with at least 8,438 tests administered so far.
- 10,000 more tests waiting to be run
- “I’m not ready to give up on this year of school.”
- No more mass gatherings of 50 people or more.
- Hair and nail salons, barbers, gyms, many more facilities to be closed effective at 5 p.m. Wednesday.
- Grocery stores and restaurants providing take-out and delivery will remain open.
- State Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy Cohen: “We are in the top 10 states of testing that has been done.”
- North Carolina has requested for federal major disaster declaration.
- NC Superintendent of Public Instruction says over 1,000 locations have served over 1 million meals to students across the state.
- State encourages kids to be kept in a routine to help with remote learning structures.
- State board has sought a waiver to federal testing requirements for students for this school year.
More to come.
Brandon Plotnick is a former sports journalist, now living in the digital space with interests all over the musical and pop culture map.
Sign me up for the 107.7 The Bounce email newsletter!
Bounce with us, as we'll bring you the hottest music news and notes, plus great contests, concerts, local news and events, and so much more!
By clicking "Subscribe" I agree to the website's terms of Service and Privacy Policy. I understand I can unsubscribe at any time.