Old North News

While many states are trying to reopen by May 1, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper has decided to stick with his extended stay-at-home executive orders through May 8. 

Cooper is being criticized, because, not only is his deadline later than other states, May 8 is merely a starting point for a multi-phase reopening.

Citing a study released by RTI International, the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and Duke University, state Health Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen believes that a phased reopening will prevent any further viral spread rather than a quick reopening.

Over 1,500 "ReOpen NC" protesters gathered in Raleigh on Tuesday to confront Cooper's decision to delay reopening the state. Four arrests were made during the protest, including one of the event organizers.

Since Cooper has not provided any leeway for local governments to have a say in the state's reopening, Cooper has received criticism from state officials as well. 

"Gov. Cooper's one-size-fits-all approach for reopening is not necessary for a state as large as North Carolina," Lt. Gov. Dan Forest commented on his Twitter feed. "This decision will needlessly crush businesses and destroy livelihoods in places that don’t even have a single case of coronavirus."