FROM WSJSTAFF REPORTS
Gyms, bowling alleys, museums, playgrounds and aquariums can reopen Friday, Sept. 4, Gov. Roy Cooper announced in a press conference Tuesday, Sept. 1.
Gyms can open at 30 percent capacity and museums and aquariums can open at 50 percent capacity starting Friday, Sept. 4.
Playgrounds will also open, Cooper said.
Bars will remain closed.
Cooper signed an executive order, Monday, extending the 11 p.m. curfew on alcohol sales until Oct. 2.
Restrictions were loosened by Cooper a week before his previous Phase 2.5 deadline of Sept. 11.
“We continue to see our state stabilize,” Cooper said, “We’re encouraged but cautious.”
Cooper’s announcement to reopen gyms came on the day some gym owners were going to reopen regardless of Cooper’s COVID-19 restrictions.
“As we are going to take some steps forward today, it’s important to remember that moving forward does not mean letting up,” said Dr. Mandy Cohen, head of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.
Earlier on Tuesday, NCSHHS reported the highest daily total of new COVID-19 cases in the a month.
