NC Relaxes Mask Mandate & Eases Mass Gathering Limits
Today, Governor Roy Cooper and North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, M.D. shared an update on the state’s COVID-19 progress. Throughout the pandemic, state officials have taken a data-driven approach and have been guided by the science in making decisions.
Following yesterday’s guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that fully vaccinated individuals can safely do most activities without wearing a mask or the need to social distance from others, the state will remove its indoor mask mandate for most settings. Additionally, the state will lift all mass gathering limits and social distancing requirements. These changes are now in effect as of 1:30 PM today.
In accordance with the new CDC guidance, there will still be certain settings where masks and other safety measures will be required. Masks will still be required in child care, schools and camps as most children are either not yet vaccinated or are not yet eligible to be vaccinated. Everyone, including people who are fully vaccinated will still be required to wear a mask in certain settings such as public transportation, health care settings like hospitals, doctor’s offices and long-term care settings like nursing homes, and certain congregate settings like correctional facilities and homeless shelters.
NCDHHS recommends public facing businesses post signage reminding guests to social distance and wear a face covering if they are not fully vaccinated; remind employees to self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19; have a plan to immediately isolate and remove sick workers; and clean high-touch surfaces once a day. Businesses may choose to continue to require that their customers wear masks.
Legislative Update
The North Carolina General Assembly is currently in the long session. All Senate bills for the session are now filed.
Click here to view Senator deViere’s legislative profile.
Click here for all introduced or sponsored bills.
Click here to view voting record.
Click here to view committees.
The Office of Senator Kirk deViere will remain open to assist constituents with concerns, as well as to field opinions regarding the Senator’s legislative actions.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to our office:
Directly: DeviereLA@ncleg.gov
Office: (919) 733-5776
www.SenatorKirkdeViere.com
Fayetteville State Students & Alumni Virtual Town Hall
The Office of Senator Kirk deViere is hosting a virtual town hall meeting on May 20th from 4-5pm to hear from the Fayetteville State students and alumni community.
There will be a legislative update and a time for questions. Please register in advance – full agenda to be released before the meeting.
Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYsfu6prjgpHdKjmwOvMsrwV_VtSQre2dIT?fbclid=IwAR0ZgzdoZQ6XKk37HmJtScJs_-lYgqQd9Rtu0ooLJM5Wqxsv9sDd_P7Qn6Y
COVID-19 Vaccination Update
- You will likely need an appointment to get vaccinated.
- Your local vaccine provider can help you get your shot. Because supplies are very limited right now, most doctors cannot provide vaccinations in their offices.
- You can also call the toll-free COVID-19 Vaccine Help Center at 1-888-675-4567.
- The vaccine is free everywhere in North Carolina.
- No photo ID or insurance is needed.
- Depending on where you get your vaccine, you may need to make an appointment.
- U.S. citizenship is not required or checked.
Find Vaccine Location: https://myspot.nc.gov/
Available Resources
New Broadband Affordability Program:
The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program is a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program that provides a temporary discount on monthly broadband bills for qualifying low-income households.
If your household is eligible, you can receive:
Up to a $50/month discount on your broadband service and associated equipment rentals
Up to a $75/month discount if your household is on qualifying Tribal lands
A one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer (with a co-payment of more than $10 but less than $50)
Only one monthly service discount and one device discount is allowed per household.
More info and application: https://getemergencybroadband.org/
For Those Facing Eviction:
On March 30, Governor Cooper extended North Carolina’s eviction moratorium until June 30, 2021.
To help constituents during this time, our office has this resource page that will continue to update as new information and resources are available.
More info: http://www.senatorkirkdeviere.com/eviction