Stay-At-Home Order issued for Winston-Salem
In response to the growing number of COVID-19 cases across the country and the state, the City of Winston-Salem has issued a Stay-At-Home Order for all residents that will go into effect at 5 p.m. on Friday, March 27.
The Stay-At-Home-Order comes as an amendment to the state of emergency declaration issued in the City of Winston-Salem on March 13. Under the order all “non-essential” businesses must cease operation. Non-essential businesses include but are not limited to; parks, water parks, playgrounds, recreations centers, theme parks, bowling alleys, movie theaters and other theaters, and social clubs.
Once the Stay-At-Home Order is in place, individuals may only leave their residence to complete Essential Activities such as for health and safety reasons, to purchase necessary supplies and services, to engage in outdoor activity such as running or cycling. Individuals will also be allowed to leave their residence to take care of a family member, friend or pet in another household.
All essential businesses have been encouraged to remain open while still complying with the Social Distancing requirements set by the CDC. Essential Businesses include: stores that sell groceries and medicine, organizations that provide charitable and social services, media outlets, gas stations and businesses needed for transportation, financial institutions such as banks, hardware and supply stores, mail, postal, shipping and pick-up services, laundry services, restaurants (delivery or take-out only), home-based care and services, childcare centers, hotels and motels, and funeral services.
The order will also place new requirements on nursing homes, long-term-care facilities, and assisted living facilities relating to staff and visitors.
As stated earlier the Stay-At-Home Order will take effect on Friday, March 27. Any person violating any of the restrictions included in of the Stay-At-Home-Order will be guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor.
At the time of publication, 17 people in Forsyth County have tested positive for COVID-19. It is believed that 14 of the cases were contracted through travel outside the United States, while three cases are considered community spread. During the daily briefing held to update the community on the spread of the virus, Joshua Swift, Forsyth County Director of Public Health, encouraged the community to be proactive, practice social distancing, and stay home if you have any signs of illness.
“With community spread, everyone should continue to be proactive and practice good social distancing and stay home with any signs of illness,” Swift continued. “Fourteen of the cases have been associated with travel. If you have traveled to an area in the past 14 days where widespread community transmission has occurred, such as New York, you must stay home for at least 14 days after returning.”
The complete list of essential businesses, along with the full text of the Stay-At-Home Order is posted on the city’s website www.cityofws.org.
