News Flash

News Release
For Immediate Release: March 19, 2020

Durham Police Department - COVID-19 Public Awareness Update

The Durham Police Department needs your help getting the word out regarding misinformation being distributed on social media resulting in unnecessary calls and posts for emergency services.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued recommendations to slow the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19). Suggested guidelines may be found at www.cdc.gov.

On March 14, 2020, Governor Roy Cooper issued Executive Order No. 177 prohibiting any event or convening of more than 100 persons in a single room or space at the same time. This includes, but is not limited to, auditoriums, stadiums, arenas, conference rooms, meeting halls, theatres, parades, fairs, and festivals. It does not include normal operations at airports, bus and train stations, medical facilities, libraries, shopping malls and centers, office environments, factories, grocery stores, or other retail establishments. These establishments are, however, subject to the dine-in food and beverage restrictions found in Executive Order No. 118.

On March 17, 2020, Governor Cooper issued Executive Order No. 118 limiting operations of restaurants and bars. Until March 31, 2020, or until the Order is rescinded or replaced, restaurants are restricted to carry-out, drive-through, delivery and on-site consumption in outdoor seating areas. Outdoor seating areas are subject to mass gathering restrictions so no more than 100 persons are allowed, and staff and patrons should exercise social distancing whenever possible. Bars are directed to close.

According to the Governor’s Order, restaurants are establishments that prepare and serve food, including but not limited to, restaurants, cafeterias, food halls, dining halls, food kiosks, food courts, food trucks, and private and members-only clubs where food and beverages are permitted to be consumed on premises. Bars are establishments that are not restaurants and that have a permit to sell alcoholic beverages to be consumed on their premises.

Executive Order No. 118 does not direct the closure of retail establishments that sell beer, wine and liquor for off-site consumption only, or require the closure of production operations at breweries, wineries, or distilleries. Nor does it affect grocery stores, pharmacies, convenience stores, gas stations and charitable food distribution sites to the extent they sell or distribute prepared food. However sit-down food or beverage service within these facilities is prohibited.

The Durham Police Department will enforce the restrictions found in the Governor’s Executive Orders. The Governor’s Orders may be found at governor.nc.gov.  Please be responsible business owners and operators, as well as patrons, and abide by the required restrictions of the Governor, and to the extent possible, the suggestions of the CDC so that together we can keep the Bull City healthy and safe.