RALEIGH, N.C. – Gov. Roy Cooper gave updates on North Carolina’s COVID-19 response Tuesday afternoon.
He announced that the state will stay in Phase Two longer stating, “When the current executive order expires this Friday, July 17, North Carolina will continue to stay paused in the safer at home, Phase Two for three weeks.”
He said numbers are still troubling in North Carolina and can jump higher in a blink of an eye.
Cooper added that easing restrictions now could threaten the ability to open schools.
Before mentioning Phase Two extension, Cooper also gave updates on opening schools. He said with many school start dates being about a month away, a lot could happen in that time but that they have plans set to open schools in careful way.
School districts will be able to decide what is best for them, but the goal is to get a mix of in person and remote learning.
Cooper announced that North Carolina schools will be open for both in person and remote learning with key safety precautions to keep everyone safe.
Some of the precautions will be fewer students in classrooms, face coverings and social distancing.
An all remote learning plan is also available if school districts think that is best for them, Cooper said.