On Monday, March 23, 2020, during their regularly scheduled meeting, the Pitt County Board of Commissioners approved in an 8-1 vote a measure to enact a “Stay Home” order for all unincorporated areas of Pitt County. This order, aimed at preventing a further rise in the number of COVID-19 cases in Pitt County, would limit all non-essential travel within the unincorporated areas of the County, as well as limiting the number in assembled groups to no more than 10 persons. The order is set to last for two weeks from 5:00 PM on Wednesday, March 25, 2020, until April 8, 2020, with a scheduled reevaluation afterwards.
This action directly followed presentations to the Board by Vidant Health CEO, Dr. Michael Waldrum, and Pitt County Public Health Director, Dr. John Silvernail. Pitt County Board of Commissioners Chairman, Melvin McLawhorn is expected to formally sign the order on Tuesday, March 24, which would amend the State of Emergency Declaration which has been in effect since Thursday, March 19, 2020.
This Stay Home order would cancel gatherings with 10 or more people and require all individuals in unincorporated Pitt County to limit travel only for the access or providing of essential services.
Essential services include:
- Grocery stores, farmers markets, food banks, convenience stores, pet supply, and stores that sell groceries and also sell other non-grocery products, and products necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences
- Food Cultivation. Farming, livestock, and fishing
- Manufacturing businesses
- Organizations that provide charitable and social services
- Healthcare and public health operations
- Media, including newspaper, television, and radio
- Gas stations, and businesses needed for transportation, including vehicle sale, supply and repair
- Financial and insurance institutions
- Hardware and supply stores.
- Critical trades, including plumbers, electricians, exterminators
- Mail services, including post, shipping, logistics, delivery, and pick-up services.
- Educational institutions
- Laundry services
- Restaurants for consumption off-premises
- Services and supplies for Essential Businesses, Essential Government Services, or Minimal Basic Operations
- Direct Delivery
- Transportation
- Home-based care and services
- Residential facilities or shelters
- Certain professional services, including legal, accounting, and real estate services
- Childcare facilities
- Hotels and motels
- Funeral services
- Solid Waste services
- Outdoor Services, including construction, lawn maintenance, golf courses, outdoor parks
- Minimum Basic Operations
- Federal, state and local governments, including public schools, authorities and ABC Commission
- All essential critical infrastructure as set forth in the Department of Homeland Security CISA list linked here: https://www.cisa.gov/publication/guidance-essential-critical-infrastructure-workforce
This order serves to further advance the #GoHomeStayHome campaign already being promoted by the Pitt County Health Department. Pitt County Chairman, Melvin McLawhorn noted in his final comments during the meeting that “I know that this was difficult; and I know for some it was very, very difficult. But I think that, if you look at the overall aspects of what we did, we did it for the good of this community and for the lives of citizens in Pitt County.”
To read this proclamation in full, CLICK HERE.