• By Todd Luck
• Posted Tuesday, April 14, 2020

County amends declaration of state of emergency, will remain subject to Statewide Stay-at-Home Order

Shortly after Forsyth County adopted its Stay-at-Home Order on March 27, Governor Cooper issued a statewide Stay-at-Home Order which remains in effect until April 29. The statewide Stay-at-Home Order is substantially similar to the County Order. Effective Monday, April 13, the Governor’s Executive Order 131 imposed new, strict social distancing requirements on retail establishments and replaced local restrictions. Because of the similarity of the orders, and in order to promote uniformity of restrictions across the state, Forsyth County’s Order will end at 12:01 a.m. Thursday morning, and the county will then be subject to the statewide Stay-at-Home Order until April 29.

“The best thing we can do is make it uniform,” said County Commissioner Chair Dave Plyler. “Our goals are the same as the State’s, and this will limit confusion when the Governor ultimately allows easing of restrictions.“

Residents should continue to stay at home unless leaving for essential activities or to work at an essential business or government service.

Residents can continue to do essential activities such as grocery shopping, picking up take-out food, taking care of others, working at essential businesses, and outdoor activities like walking their dog, jogging and bike riding.

Travel should be restricted for essential activities, but NO permit or papers are needed to travel in the county. Local law enforcement officials will continue to enforce the order through education, dialogue, and seeking voluntary cooperation with all residents and businesses. If voluntary cooperation is not achieved, they are authorized to enforce these restrictions through citations.

Forsyth County Government departments continue to operate with numerous changes that were made for social distancing that can be found at https://forsyth.cc/citizenservices.aspx. Traveling to a county office for services is allowed under the order, but please check to see if that office is still open to the public and do not come if you’re sick.

For more information, visit the state’s Stay at Home Order FAQ on the Coronavirus page at www.ncdhhs.gov.