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Gov. Roy Cooper’s Executive Order 120 is effective Wednesday, March 25, 2020, at 5 p.m.

Broadly, the order enforces social distancing by closing some businesses, limits visitors to long-term care facilities and keeps public schools closed through May 15.

In this order, Cooper amended his Executive Order 117 signed March 14, which limited gatherings to less than 100 people. This order sets the limit below 50. President Donald Trump’s coronavirus guidelines state to “avoid social gatherings in groups of more than 10 people.”

Entertainment facilities without retail and dining components are closed. The extensive list of businesses cited in the order are: 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/outdoor pools, live performance venues, movie theaters, skating rinks, spas and gaming and business establishments that allow gaming activity, e.g. video poker, gaming, sweepstakes, video games, arcade games, pinball machines or other computer, electronic or mechanical devices played for amusement.

Further, the order closes additional businesses due to inability to practice social distancing. Those businesses include, but are not limited to, barber shops, beauty salons (including waxing and hair removal centers), hair salons, massage parlors, nail salons/manicure/pedicure providers and tattoo parlors.

Long-term care facilities are told to “restrict visitation of all visitors and non-essential health care personnel, except for certain compassionate care situations, for example, an end-of-life situation.”

Long-term care facilities are defined as skilled nursing facilities, adult care homes, family care homes, mental health group homes and intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

A section of the order reminds local governments to “continue to exercise their responsibilities, including but not limited to local county Department of Social Services (“DSS”) offices, Health Departments, Registers of Deeds, and other local government functions that are required to protect lives and property.”

During the press conference Monday, Cooper reminded the state that grocery stores and restaurants providing takeout and delivery remain open. He also reminded North Carolinians to show restraint in buying groceries and supplies.

In a media release, regarding the 2019-2020 school year, Cooper asked the State Board of Education and Department of Public Instruction and legislators to develop a plan to ensure access to quality education through remainder of the school year; provide students with remote learning while school buildings are closed; and ensure that all school employees including janitors, bus drives, teaching assistants and cafeteria workers, will work in a safe environment and be paid.

The governor has made an appeal for medical and health care workers and urged qualified professionals to volunteer. Some 300 people have already volunteered. Needed are doctors and nurses, pharmacy, imaging and respiratory care and facility maintenance and administrative support workers.

To address the low supply of masks, gloves and gowns, Cooper is meeting with North Carolina’s top manufacturers to explore changing production lines to make critical supplies.

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