by Think Currituck, on 4/13/20 12:18 PM
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper has issued an Executive Order which implements new restrictions aimed primarily at retailers.
The Order is set to become effective on Monday, April 13, 2020 at 5:00 PM and will remain in effect through May 13, 2020 (unless repealed, replaced or rescinded by another Executive Order).
Executive Order 131 includes requirements for retailers allowed to remain open to the public under Executive Order 121.
The new order strongly encourages—but does not mandate—a number of additional measures.
The text of Executive Order 131 states:
All retail establishments permitted to operate under Executive Order 121 are required to take additional steps to limit the risk of community transmission of COVID-19 and to ensure that employees and customers are able to maintain appropriate social distancing.
Emergency Maximum Occupancy
The occupancy of all operating retail establishments shall be limited to no more than 20% of the stated fire capacity or five customers for every 1,000 square feet of the retail location's total square footage (includes non-customer facing portions).
This limit is considered the "Emergency Maximum Occupancy (EMO)" for that establishment.
If the retail establishment has reached EMO, or expects to reach it, it must post staff at store entrances and exits to enforce the EMO limit.
Social Distance Markings
All operating retails establishments must clearly mark six feet of spacing in lines at cash registers and in other high traffic areas for customers inside the establishment.
Cleaning and Disinfection
All operating retail establishments shall perform frequent and routine environmental cleaning and disinfection of high touch areas with a disinfectant approved by the Environmental Protection Agency for SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19).
Recommended Policies
The order also includes a list of recommended policies including suggestions for reducing transmission among employees, hand hygiene, designated shopping times for seniors and other at-risk groups, social distancing signage and no-contact checkout.
