Thread by @NC_Governor

Updates from Gov. Cooper's COVID-19 briefing:

https://twitter.com/NC_Governor/status/1374420236275912709

As of today, we have had 899,164 cases; 1,062 new cases reported since yesterday; 956 people in the hospital; and, sadly, 11,854 people who have died. Our prayers are with those who have lost friends and loved ones who are battling this cruel virus.

Today, we are still seeing significant improvement with our COVID-19 metrics, and that’s great news. As you know, last month we cautiously eased some restrictions using our dimmer switch approach. This helped our economy continue to move forward while protecting our health.

I’m pleased that we’re holding steady. Our numbers remain stable. Our hospitalizations are dropping. Our percent of positive tests hovers around the 5% benchmark. The millions of people in North Carolina who have worn masks and acted responsibly deserve credit for this success.

It is great to see that almost every school has returned to in-person instruction, and we know how much children benefit mentally and physically from safely being in the classroom.

Another cause for optimism is North Carolina’s success with our vaccine distribution. As of today, we have administered more than 4.1 million doses. Almost a third of adults have received at least one dose, and 18.8% are fully vaccinated.

Our vaccine equity efforts remain a priority, along with speed. We're continuing to vaccinate people in a way that’s fast and fair. I want to express my gratitude to our hardworking vaccine providers. Every shot in an arm gets us closer to turning the corner on this pandemic.

Our fast & fair vaccine distribution and sustained progress with COVID metrics tells us we can move forward with easing restrictions if we do it safely. Today, I'm signing an Executive Order that'll continue to ease restrictions in several areas starting Friday, March 26 at 5 PM.

Strong safety protocols, including the mask mandate, will remain in place. It will be as important as ever to stay socially distant and use good judgment.

This virus and its more contagious variants are still spreading, and we may even need to be more careful as we ease restrictions in that we will likely come into contact with more people when we leave our homes and go into public places.

This order will increase maximum occupancy limits in several areas. But importantly, masks and 6 feet of social distancing still will be required for all of these establishments, and that means some of them may not be able to reach the maximum occupancy allowed by the order.

Here are the main changes: Some places will be able to increase capacity up to 100% indoors and outdoors with safety protocols in place. They include museums, aquariums, retail businesses and shops, salons and personal care shops.

The new order will allow some places to increase capacity up to 75% indoors and up to 100% outdoors. They include restaurants, breweries, wineries, amusement parks, gyms and pools, and other recreation establishments.

Additionally, the new order will allow some places to increase capacity up to 50 percent indoors and outdoors. That includes bars, conference centers and reception venues, sports arenas, and other venues for live performances.

In addition, effective Friday, we will fully lift the 11 pm curfew for on-site alcohol consumption. Finally, the mass gathering limit, which covers other kinds of gatherings not otherwise laid out in the order, will be increased to 50 indoors and 100 outdoors.

These are significant changes, but they can be done safely. We have said all along that the science and data would be our guide in this dimmer switch approach, and they show we can do this.

NC has done the work to slow the spread and get people vaccinated. I’m grateful for the efforts of people across the state. But the pandemic is not over. We're only able to keep the virus in check while we ease restrictions if people act responsibly and follow safety protocols.

That means continuing to wear a mask and social distancing. We want to strengthen our economy while keeping people safe, and it is on all of us to make that happen. The last thing we want is to backslide.

Spring has brought sunnier days and the continued hope and belief that we will move past this pandemic. Our students are in the classrooms, people are getting vaccinated and our COVID-19 numbers remain promising.

But for us to truly turn the corner and leave this pandemic behind, we have to stay strong to the very end. We have to continue keeping ourselves and each other safe. That way we’ll be able to move forward once and for all into a stronger and healthier future.