Onslow News

An attempt from Jacksonville City policymakers requesting the state government to allow municipalities greater control to determine how to reopen amid COVID-19 stalled after Gov. Roy Cooper started to prepare to lift restrictions. 

"We are saying that based on the local statistics, we would like the opportunity to make decisions on how to restart our business community while still using the necessary precautions to keep people safe," Jacksonville Mayor Pro-Tem Michael Lazzara was quoted in a JDNews story at the time. "One size doesn’t fit all. We have 100 counties in North Carolina and we all are vastly different. We believe we know we our community best in terms of numbers and what the challenges are."

However, after the time that Jacksonville adopted the local-control resolution, which was set to start on May 1, policymakers learned that the governor was preparing to phase in reopening portions of the economy and services through Cooper's April 30 press conference with the Health and Human Services secretary. 

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper provides an update about COVID-19 on April 23. | Photo Courtesy of the Office of North Carolina Governor

A few days later, on May 5, Cooper more formally announced the first phase of his reopening plan. 

“COVID-19 is still a serious threat to our state, and Phase 1 is designed to be a limited easing of restrictions that can boost parts of our economy while keeping important safety rules in place,” Cooper said in a statement posted on the governor's website. “This is a careful and deliberate first step, guided by the data, and North Carolinians still must use caution while this virus is circulating.”

Jacksonville wasn't alone in its effort to pressure the state to reopen or cede more of that control to local governments. The JDNews reported that the Onslow County Board of Commissioners had adopted a resolution similar to that of Jacksonville. Republican state lawmakers also assailed the Democratic governor about reopening and there was a slew of protests under the name of #ReopenNC demanding lockdown restrictions end.

Since Cooper outlined the reopening plan, North Carolina is heading into Phase 2, set to begin on May 22, Cooper said on May 20. 

“North Carolina is using the data to guide our decisions about when to lift COVID-19 restrictions, and overall our key indicators remain stable,” Cooper said in the statement about Phase 2. “Safer At Home Phase 2 is another careful step forward, and we have to continue taking this virus seriously to prevent a dangerous spike in infections.”

Key aspects of the second phase include allowing food establishments to provide dine-in service up to 50% capacity while following social distancing and cleaning requirements, camp services and childcare operations can open. However, bars, night clubs, movie theaters and indoor fitness centers remain closed.