COVID-19 Updates & Resources for Greenville-Pitt County

**UPDATED Wednesday, February 10, 2020 at 3pm**

NC SAFER AT HOME PHASE 3.0 HAS BEEN EXTENDED WITH NEW MODIFIED STAY AT HOME CURFEW IN PLACE FROM 10pm - 5am UNTIL FEBRUARY 28, 2021

Under the Phase 3 Extension:

• Large outdoor venues with seating greater than 10,000 may operate with 7% occupancy for spectators. 
• Smaller outdoor entertainment venues, such as arenas or amphitheaters, may operate outdoors at 30% of outdoor capacity – or 100 guests, whichever is less. 
• Movie theaters and conference centers may open indoor spaces to 30% of capacity – or 100 guests, whichever is less.
• Bars may operate outdoors at 30% of outdoor capacity – or 100 guests, whichever is less. 
• Amusement parks may open at 30% occupancy, outdoor attractions only. 
• Indoor mass gathering limit is 10 people.
• Masks should be worn whenever you are with someone who is not from your household. Masks should be worn in any public indoor space even when maintaining 6 feet of social distance, gyms even when exercising, all schools public and private, and all public or private transportation when traveling with people outside the household.

PRACTICING THE 3 W’S IS HIGHLY ENCOURAGED FOR THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF NOT ONLY YOURSELF, BUT OUT OF RESPECT AND CONCERN FOR OTHERS AS WELL. 

WEARING OF FACE MASKS IN PUBLIC NOW REQUIRED IN THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA

• Masks should be worn whenever you are with someone who is not from your household. Masks should be worn in any public indoor space even when maintaining 6 feet of social distance, gyms even when exercising, all schools public and private, and all public or private transportation when traveling with people outside the household
• Required for children age 5 and older
• Not required by people with medical or behavioral health issues, disabilities, or other reasons
• Not required when outside walking or exercising away from others or while with members of the same household

Find more detailed information about face covering requirements and specifics for restaurants, retail, personal care, child-care, long-term care, government, and manufacturing facilities.

SAFER AT HOME PHASE 3.0 GUIDELINES FOR EVENTS, GATHERINGS & BUSINESS OPENINGS:

• Meeting spaces in hotels, conference centers, meeting halls and reception venues may host receptions, meetings and other functions, subject to reduced capacity limits and other restrictions.
• Gaming establishments may reopen, subject to reduced capacity limits.
• Very large outdoor facilities with a capacity of more than 10,000 guests may reopen at 7% of the facility’s total seating capacity, if they meet certain requirements.
• The mass gathering limit remains at 10 indoors and 50 outdoors.
• Indoor seating areas in bars remain closed.
• Indoor rides at amusement parks remain closed.
• Fitness and exercise facilities remain open, subject to reduced capacity limits and other requirements.
• Restaurants remain subject to capacity limits and other requirements for in-person dining.
• Personal care businesses such as hair salons, nail salons, barber shops and more remain subject to capacity limits and other requirements.
• Museums and aquariums remain open, subject to reduced capacity limits and other requirements.
• Face coverings are still required in public when it is not possible to maintain social distancing from non-household members. In Phase 3, this requirement applies to any public place or business – indoor or outdoor.
• Alcohol sales are still required to cease from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m.

MAY OPEN WITH REQUIREMENTS:

• Restaurants & Breweries (50% capacity, and other requirements) *Sale of alcohol to end at 11pm*
• Salons & Personal Care (50% capacity, and other requirements)
• Pools (50% capacity, and other requirements)
• Playgrounds may open
• Museums & Aquariums (50% capacity, and other requirements)
• Gyms and competitive fitness centers (open at 30% capacity)
• Outdoor visitation at nursing homes or skilled nursing facilities. The sites must not have a current  outbreak and have a testing plan, adequate personal protective equipment and an updated written infection control or preparedness plan for COVID-19

Please see NC.GOV/COVID-19 for more Phase 3.0 FAQs

CURRENT SOCIAL DISTANCING BEST PRACTICES

Certain populations however are at “high risk” of severe illness from COVID-19, which include adults over 65 and people of all ages with severe underlying health conditions like heart disease, lung disease, asthma, diabetes or a weakened immune system. Those populations are being asked by federal, state and local officials to avoid unnecessary contact with people as much as possible.

CURRENT RECOMMENDED BEST PRACTICES INCLUDE:

• Staying home unless you need to go out for work or activities deemed essential
• Do not travel if you are sick.
• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing; going to the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Avoid close contact with people who are ill.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and throw it away. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands.
• Clean commonly used surfaces and objects.
• Say no to the handshake – choose fist bumps or non-contact greetings.
• Don’t share food and beverages with others.
• Practice social distancing – maintain distances of at least 6 feet from others when possible.
• The CDC recommends people wear cloth masks when leaving their home to attend to essential work and errands to avoid transmission and spread of the virus. As of June 26, the state of North Carolina will require people to wear masks and face covering when in public places and social distance of 6 feet or more is not possible. 

COVID VACCINE SITE INFORMATION:

Greenville Convention Center: 

Pitt County is partnering with Vidant Health to offer appointments to eligible community members to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at the Greenville Convention Center large-scale vaccine site.

Appointments are required, as the large-scale vaccine site will not be able to accept walk-up or drive-up vaccinations.
The vaccine site serves anyone in eastern North Carolina, consistent with state and federal guidelines.

Appointment information for eligible community members:
Community members can view appointment availability by conveniently visiting VidantHealth.com/Vaccinate or by logging into their MyChart account at MyChart.VidantHealth.com. 

COVID-19 TESTING IN GREENVILLE-PITT COUNTY:

• Vidant Health is proud to serve eastern North Carolina during the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of this effort, Vidant has opened a dedicated COVID-19 drive-up testing site at the corner of Stantonsburg Road and Wellness Drive in Greenville. COVID-19 testing is covered through the CARES Act and currently there are no out-of-pocket costs to the public. Insurance is not needed for a COVID-19 test at the Greenville site, however, health care organizations must collect and submit insurance information for patients that have it, per the CARES Act. The testing site’s hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. Results are expected within 24 hours.

• The Pitt County Health Department through a collaboration with Pitt County Emergency Management and Vidant Medical Center is offering daily community COVID-19 testing. For more information about the locations and times of the free testing, click here. A COVID-19 drive-thru testing site is now open Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays from 7:00am – 9:00am located in the parking lot of the Walmart at 210 Greenville Blvd. SW, Greenville, NC 27834. To sign up for an appointment, CLICK HERE. There is no out-of-pocket cost to individuals. To view the full details from Walmart on this testing site, CLICK HERE

GREENVILLE & PITT COUNTY INFORMATION:

PITT COUNTY COVID-19 MEDIA SESSIONS 

• MEDIA INTERVIEWS TO BE LIVE STREAMED EVERY WEDNESDAY AT 2:30PM. Pitt County will host these media sessions to answer questions from the media and public and they will be posted to the Pitt County Facebook page and YouTube channel

• To view these sessions LIVE on the Public Health Facebook page, CLICK HERE

• To view all COVID-19 media from Pitt County, CLICK HERE

PITT COUNTY

• PITT COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH: pittcountync.gov/229/Public-Health

• PITT COUNTY GOVERNMENT: pittcountync.gov

• PITT COUNTY COVID-19 INFORMATION HOTLINE: call 252-902-2300 or 1-866-462-3821.

GREENVILLE

• CITY OF GREENVILLE, NC GOVERNMENT: greenvillenc.gov/government/city-manager-s-office/public-information-office/severe-weather-alerts/-fsiteid-1

• VIDANT MEDICAL CENTER: vidanthealth.com/COVID-19-Updates/Overview

• GREENVILLE-PITT COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE:https://www.greenvillenc.org/membership-benefits/covid-19-resource-page/

• GREENVILLE UTILITIES COMMISSION: https://www.guc.com/about-us/covid-19-response

GREENVILLE & PITT COUNTY EDUCATION INFORMATION:

EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY: ECU Coronavirus Updates & Resources

PITT COMMUNITY COLLEGE: PCC Coronavirus Information Page

PITT COUNTY SCHOOLS: COVID-19 Road to Reopening

ACCOMMODATIONS, RESTAURANTS & BUSINESS INFORMATION:

The North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association, Visit North Carolina, the NC Department of Health & Human Services, and NC State University Extension have created and launched an innovative public health initiative for safely reopening restaurants and other businesses while addressing consumers’ need for trustworthy standards.

Count on Me NC centers on an evidence-based training program that provides specific guidance to restaurants, hotels, attractions and other businesses on best practices for North Carolina’s phased reopening after Governor Cooper’s COVID-19 stay-at-home order.

As North Carolina’s restaurants, hotels, attractions, and businesses prepare to reopen, Count on Me NC is a mutual pledge and public health initiative that empowers guests and businesses to help keep everyone safe and protected.

All 5 Count on Me NC training modules are live, and include:

• Restaurant: Owners & Operators 
• Restaurant: Front of House Staff 
• Restaurant: Back of House Staff 
• All Businesses: Cleaning & Disinfecting Surfaces for COVID-19 Management 
• General Best Practices for COVID-19 Management 

A companion public relations component will encourage consumers to join the effort to keep everyone safe with a Guest Pledge. The campaign will also direct consumers to look for certificates and Count on Me NC logos for assurance that a business has completed the voluntary, no-cost training.

This program is FREE to both members and non-members, and we highly encourage our local lodging, restaurant, and attraction partners and staff, as well as individuals who will patronize these businesses, to participate in the online health and safety tutorial to receive Count on Me NC certification for their business and to utilize and display the Count on Me NC marketing materials tool-kit provided at your place of business and on social media to help reassure customers that your business is invested in reopening safely with both your staff and customers health as a top priority and is a part of the #CountOnMeNC movement! Please see the Count on Me NC website to see a map of current businesses participating in Greenville, Pitt County, and NC: countonmenc.org

The CDC offers specific instructions for cleaning and disinfecting on their website at this link. Best practices are to protect your employees and customers by maintaining stringent cleaning practices.

ACCOMMODATIONS:

• CDC offers specific guidance here.
• Air B&B advice for hosts link is here.
• Ensure you clean items including (but not limited to): door handles, telephones, toilets, light switches, remote controls, blowdryers, HVAC controls, faucet handles, and other surfaces frequently.
• The NC Restaurant & Lodging Association has created an online Coronavirus Resource Center for Hospitality Businesses that contains webinars with Practical Tutorials for Employers plus Restaurant- and Lodging-Specific Resources.

RESTAURANTS:

• A link to ServSafe’s Coronavirus information is located here.
• Information on Coronavirus is also available on the National RestaurantAssociation’s website.
• The NC Restaurant & Lodging Association has created an online Coronavirus Resource Center for Hospitality Businesses that contains webinars with Practical Tutorials for Employers plus Restaurant- and Lodging-Specific Resources.

POSTERS & HANDOUTS:

The CDC has some great posters and handouts you can download here.

CONTINUE TO SUPPORT GREENVILLE-PITT COUNTY SMALL & LOCAL BUSINESSES: 

In these days of rapidly changing circumstances as we all make adjustments to our daily lives in response to the coronavirus, those in our tourism and hospitality industry feel this impact directly. Our small and local business owners, restaurateurs, hotel staff, and service employees, rely on the business of both visitors and locals. Greenville-Pitt County is the HEART OF PIRATE NATION, and our entire community and crew must be “all hands on deck” figuratively, to help support each other as we navigate through these uncertain times.

HERE ARE SOME WAYS YOU CAN HELP:
(THANKS TO OUR FRIENDS IN THE BULL CITY AT DISCOVER DURHAM!) 

• BUY GIFT CARDS AND CERTIFICATES
• BUY MERCHANDISE ONLINE
• ORDER TAKEOUT
• TIP WELL IF YOU CAN
• LEAN IN TO SELF CARE
• CANCEL RESERVATIONS OR APPOINTMENTS IF YOU CAN’T MAKE IT
• EXPLORE VIRTUAL AND STREAMING SERVICES
• SUPPORT LOCAL FARMS
• FOLLOW, ENGAGE & SHARE ON SOCIAL MEDIA

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA INFORMATION:

• NC DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES: 
  NCDHHS.GOV

• NC GOVERNOR ROY COOPER:
  GOVERNOR.NC.GOV

• VISIT NORTH CAROLINA:
  VISITNC.COM

• UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYSTEM:
  NORTHCAROLINA.EDU

US FEDERAL GOVERNMENT INFORMATION:

• CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL & PREVENTION (CDC):
  CDC.GOV/CORONAVIRUS

• WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO):
  WHO.INT/EMERGENCIES/DISEASES/NOVEl-CORONAVIRUS-2019 

BUSINESS RESOURCES:

Business Resources from the Greenville-Pitt County Chamber of Commerce

Business Resources from the North Carolina Department of Commerce 

U.S. Small Business Administration Lenders 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Sheppard Memorial Library (Offers Virtual Story-time Monday-Thursday)

Read ENC Free Resources for At-Home Reading

Helpful COVID-19 Information from the ECU Office of Research

Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina

NC 2-1-1 by United Way of North Carolina (resource for people to call for assistance related to COVID-19)

OUR VISIT GREENVILLE, NC VISITORS CENTER & OFFICES CONTINUES TO CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE WHILE WE MAKE PLANS TO REOPEN. OUR STAFF CONTINUES TO WORK BEHIND THE SCENES FROM HOME TO PROMOTE GREENVILLE-PITT COUNTY DESTINATION AND PLAN FOR RECOVERY. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO REACH OUT TO OUR STAFF BY EMAIL OR OTHER METHODS.