Tuesday, March 31
Governor Roy Cooper today announced another step to help families by prohibiting utilities from disconnecting people who are unable to pay during this pandemic. Today’s Order applies to electric, gas, water and wastewater services for the next 60 days.
The Order directs utilities to give residential customers at least six months to pay outstanding bills and prohibits them from collecting fees, penalties or interest for late payment.
Telecommunication companies that provide phone, cable and internet services are strongly urged to follow these same rules. To readh the rest of the press release visit: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/news/press-releases/governor-cooper-signs-execut…
Monday, March 24
-Governor Roy Cooper ordered tighter limits on gatherings and extended school closures statewide to May 15, 2020.
The governor directed $50 million in school funding flexibility to help public schools and support the greatest needs to serve students during the COVID-19 crisis. Governor Cooper has ordered North Carolina public schools to remain closed to in-class instruction through May 15.
The State Board of Education (SBE) and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (DPI) will establish a new $50 million flexible allotment for public school units to address COVID-19-related expenses.This allotment is comprised of unused funds from the current and previous school years as well as the State Emergency Response and Disaster Relief Fund.
The executive order also closed some businesses that require close social interaction and limited visitors to long-term care centers including: Bingo Parlors, including Bingo sites operated by charitable organizations,Bowling Alleys, Indoor Exercise Facilities (e.g. gyms, yoga studios, martial arts facilities, indoor trampoline and rock-climbing facilities), Health Clubs, Indoor Pools, Live Performance Venues, Movie Theaters, Skating Rinks, Spas, Sweepstakes Lounges, Video game arcades, Barber Shops, Beauty Salons (including waxing and hair removal centers), Hair Salons, Nail Salons/Manicure/Pedicure Providers, Massage Parlors, Tattoo Parlors.
Grocery stores and restaurants providing takeout and delivery will remain open.
-Medicaid is temporarily modifying its Telemedicine and Telepsychiatry Clinical Coverage Policies to better enable the delivery of remote care to Medicaid beneficiaries. In addition to telephone conversations and secure electronic messaging, the modifications will include the use of two-way real-time interactive audio and video to provide and support physical and behavioral health care when participants are in different physical locations.
For more information visit: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/news/press-releases/nc-medicaid-increasing-eligi…
-Governor Roy Cooper has waived restrictions to increase access to caregivers to provide flexible child care and elder care during the coronavirus emergency. The Order provides flexibility to local health departments working to adapt to the increased need for their resources. Additionally, it provides for ways for Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) offices to enact social distancing protections, and waives some registration requirements to ensure resources can be delivered by truck throughout the state.
For more information visit: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/news/press-releases/governor-cooper-orders-incre…