Public Notices
Here are Frequently Asked Questions regarding relaxing COVID-19 restrictions
Do you have questions about the relaxing of COVID-19 restrictions? Check out the latest news from the state.
CooperFAQ-for-Executive-Order-No.-204
COVID19 vaccination appointments available this afternoon in Burgaw. Make an appointment NOW
UPDATE 10:10 a.m. All appointments are filled. Please continue to monitor the website for upcoming appointments
PENDER COUNTY – COVID-19 Vaccination appointments are NOW being accepted for TODAY, Wednesday afternoon, March 24, at the Pender County Health Department, 803 S. Walker St., Burgaw.
The Moderna vaccination appointments are available to Group 4 which includes anyone 18-64 years old with one or more high-risk medical conditions for severe disease from COVID-19, people living in close group settings, and essential workers.
Citizens under the age of 64 with one or more high-risk medical conditions, essential workers, residents ages 65 and older, and health care workers may schedule an appointment online on the county’s website, pendercountync.gov, and click on the red banner across the screen.
Pender County Health Department continues to accept appointments from citizens in Groups, 1, 2, and 3 in addition to Group 4.
If registering online, the Pender County website is best viewed in Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or Mozilla Firefox and NOT Internet Explorer.
Citizens without the ability to make an appointment online can call 910-663-4200 for assistance.
There is limited vaccine available this afternoon.
If citizens miss this opportunity to be vaccinated, continue to monitor the county’s website, Pender County’s Facebook page, and the local news for future vaccine appointments.
North Carolina to relax some COVID-19 restrictions
State’s trends continue to move in the right direction and key indicators used to inform decisions throughout the pandemic remain stable
RALEIGH: As North Carolina’s trends continue to show improvement and vaccine distribution increases with 31.7% of North Carolinians over 18 having received at least one dose of vaccine, Governor Roy Cooper announced today that the state will continue to ease some COVID-19 restrictions. Executive Order No. 204 will take effect March 26 at 5 pm is set to expire April 30 at 5 pm. The state’s general mask mandate remains in effect.
“Our fast and fair vaccine distribution and our sustained progress with the COVID-19 metrics tell us we can move forward with easing restrictions if we do it safely,” said Governor Cooper.
“We are in a promising place. With North Carolina’s COVID-19 key metrics improving and vaccinations increasing, we can responsibly use our dimmer switch approach to easing restrictions guided by science and data,” said NCDHHS Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, M.D.
Executive Order No. 204 has three general categories of occupancy restrictions: up to 100 percent capacity, 75 percent capacity, and 50 percent capacity. All businesses must continue to maintain the 6 feet of distance requirement between patrons and implement other safety protocols as they expand their capacity.
Executive Order No. 204 will also increase mass gathering limits. The number of people who may gather indoors will increase from 25 to 50 and the number of people who may gather outdoors will increase from 50 to 100. This Order also fully lifts the restriction on the late-night sale and service of alcoholic beverages on bars, restaurants, and other establishments.
Indoors and Outdoors up to 100% Capacity, Subject to Masks and 6 ft. Social Distancing
• Museums and Aquariums
• Retail Businesses
• Salons, personal care and grooming businesses, tattoo parlors
Indoors up to 75% and Outdoors up to 100% Capacity, Subject to Masks and 6 ft. Social Distancing
• Restaurants
• Breweries, Wineries, and Distilleries
• Recreation (e.g., bowling, skating, rock climbing)
• Fitness and Physical Activity Facilities (e.g., gyms, yoga studios, fitness centers)
• Pools
• Amusement Parks
Indoors and Outdoors up to 50% Capacity, Subject to Masks and 6 ft. Social Distancing
• Bars
• Movie Theaters*
• Gaming Facilities*
• Meeting, Reception, and Conference Spaces
• Lounges (including tobacco) and Night Clubs
• Auditoriums, Arenas, and other venues for live performances
• Sports Arenas and Fields (includes professional, collegiate, and amateur
*Movie theaters and gaming facilities may operate at up to 75% capacity outdoors.
Activities and settings are lower risk when they involve interacting with fewer people, being outside, keeping masks on the entire time, keeping interactions with people short (under 15 minutes), staying physically distant, and avoiding singing, yelling, and cheering, according to public health officials.
North Carolina is continuing to see fast and fair vaccine distribution. To date, the state has administered over 4.1 million doses. Over 31.7 percent of people 18 and up have received at least one dose, and 18.8 percent are fully vaccinated. Vaccine equity efforts remain a priority, with 18 percent of first doses administered to Black North Carolinians and 8 percent to members of the LatinX community last week.
DHHS also released updates to the K-12 guidance. Schools should return to in-person instruction to the fullest extent possible while following all public health protocols in the StrongSchoolsNC Toolkit. This update aligns with Session Law 2021-4, which Governor Cooper and bipartisan legislative leadership worked on together. Plan A has already been widely adopted across the state as districts, educators and support staff have worked hard to get students back in the classroom. The updated Toolkit no longer requires schools to do daily temperature checks and symptom screenings.
Safety protocols such as masks and cleaning of high traffic areas are still required. Schools are also highly encouraged to conduct free screening testing as recommended by the CDC. (Read the updated Toolkit)
State health officials are continuing to monitor the presence of COVID-19 and its more contagious variants in North Carolina, which is why it is important to continue to have a mask mandate and continue to practice safety precautions, including the Three Ws—wear a mask, wait 6 feet apart, and wash hands often.
Read Frequently Asked Questions.
View the slides from today’s briefing.
COVID-19 vaccination appointments available NOW online or by phone
Updated 4:30 p.m. Appointments for Thursday at the Hampstead Annex have been filled. Watch this website and our Facebook page for appointments next week from the Pender County Health Department.
Appointments made today are for Thursday, March 25 at the Hampstead Annex
PENDER COUNTY – COVID-19 Vaccination appointments are NOW being accepted for Thursday, March 25, at the Hampstead Annex, 15060 US Hwy. 17.
Vaccinations are available to Group 4 which includes anyone 18-64 years old with one or more high-risk medical conditions for severe disease from COVID-19, people living in close group settings, and essential workers.
Citizens under the age of 64 with one or more high-risk medical conditions, essential workers, residents ages 65 and older, and health care workers may schedule an appointment online on the county’s website, pendercountync.gov, and click on the red banner across the screen.
Pender County Health Department continues to accept appointments from citizens in Groups, 1, 2, and 3 in addition to Group 4.
If registering online, the Pender County website is best viewed in Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or Mozilla Firefox and NOT Internet Explorer.
Citizens without the ability to make an appointment online can call 910-663-4200 for assistance.
There is limited vaccine available.
If citizens miss this opportunity to be vaccinated, continue to monitor the county’s website, Pender County’s Facebook page, and the local news for future vaccine appointments.
Pender County hires Allen Phillips-Bell as new library director
BURGAW – Pender County officials announced the hiring of Allen Phillips-Bell as the new director for the Pender County library system.
“Mr. Phillips-Bell has served as Interim Library Director since Mr. Mike Taylor retired in December of 2020,” said Allen Vann, Pender County Assistant Manager. “He has done a tremendous job and I know with certainty he is the right person to lead the Pender County Library system into the future. He has a passion of ensuring all community members throughout the county have access to the libraries and their various programs.”
Phillips-Bell has worked for Pender County Library for more than five years. He started his career in 2016 as the Virtual Services Librarian, focusing on technology-related services in the library. He was promoted to Deputy Director in 2018.
“It is a great honor to serve the people of Pender County,” said Phillips-Bell. “I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to lead our excellent library staff in providing new and innovative library services for our community.”
Phillips-Bell is a native of Union County, North Carolina. He graduated with a master’s in information science from UNC Chapel Hill’s School of Information and Library Science in 2014. As an undergraduate, he majored in music composition, also at UNC Chapel Hill.
“I decided to pursue a career in libraries a little over 10 years ago because I believe public libraries are a powerful way to help people: to give families access to books for their children, to help people connect to their roots through local history and genealogy, to give people access to technology and to help them use it, and to provide a welcoming third space for the community to gather and meet,” Phillips-Bell said.
He was attracted to Pender County because the county has much to offer with its beautiful landscapes, the small-town feel of Burgaw, and the beaches.
Working with Michael Taylor was a benefit to working in the Pender County system, Phillips-Bell said, adding that he learned several best practices from Taylor.
“Mike took care to prioritize reaching out to all of Pender County with library services,” said Phillips-Bell. “A prominent example is the Early Literacy Outreach program. Through it, the library delivers curated bags of books to over 60 daycare center and preschool classrooms, all throughout the county, on a monthly basis. I hope to build on that by expanding other outreach programs, bringing story time and science programs to sites throughout the county.”
COVID-19 vaccination appointments available online or phone NOW for Tuesday in Burgaw
Update: 1:15 p.m. All appointments are filled for Tuesday. Please stay tuned for appointment availability in Hampstead.
PENDER COUNTY – COVID-19 Vaccination appointments are NOW being accepted for Tuesday, March 23, at the Pender County Health Department, 803 S. Walker St., Burgaw.
Vaccinations are available to Group 4 which includes anyone 16-64 years old with one or more high-risk medical conditions for severe disease from COVID-19, people living in close group settings, and essential workers.
Citizens under the age of 64 with one or more high-risk medical conditions, essential workers, residents ages 65 and older, and health care workers may schedule an appointment online on the county’s website, pendercountync.gov, and click on the red banner across the screen.
Pender County Health Department continues to accept appointments from citizens in Groups, 1, 2, and 3 in addition to Group 4.
If registering online, the Pender County website is best viewed in Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or Mozilla Firefox and NOT Internet Explorer.
Citizens without the ability to make an appointment online can call 910-663-4200 for assistance.
There is limited vaccine available.
If citizens miss this opportunity to be vaccinated, continue to monitor the county’s website, Pender County’s Facebook page, and the local news for future vaccine appointments.
Update on the multiple gravesites found on Hampstead parcel
PENDER COUNTY – Last week, Pender County Planning and Community Development was made aware of land clearing activities occurring on a parcel of land in Hampstead and multiple gravesites were located onsite as well.
“On Wednesday, March 17, 2021, Pender County Planning and Community Development issued a Final Notice of Violation and Stop Work Order upon the referenced parcel in accordance with Article 13 ‘Enforcement and Penalties’ of the Pender County Unified Development Ordinance,” said Travis Henley, Planning and Community Development Director.
This violation is specifically regarding the land clearing activities that occurred without an approved “preliminary plat,” which is currently pending at this time. As specified in the notice of violation and stop work order, all land clearing activities are to cease and remain ceased until a Preliminary Plat is approved by Pender County Planning and Community Development. Furthermore, the notice of violation also required removal of all equipment from the site as well.
Staff are still awaiting the results of the aforementioned survey commissioned by the developers as of this release and will continue to await the receipt of all necessary documents required in order to issue approval of the pending Preliminary Plat for this parcel. In the meantime, Staff will continue to coordinate with all local, state, and federal partners to ensure compliance with all applicable regulations and standards, including the State Archaeologist’s Office.
This situation is evolving rapidly, and Staff has and will continue to monitor the site to ensure compliance and will continue to provide updates to the community as they are available.
Early closures in Pender County today
PENDER COUNTY – In preparation for the multi-hazard severe weather event expected this afternoon and evening, Pender County will close all county parks and the Holly Shelter Shooting Range at 3 p.m. today.
The county will also close the COVID-19 Call Center at 3 p.m.
Pender County offices and Pender County libraries will close at 4 p.m.
All Pender County Convenience Sites and the Hampstead Transfer Station will close at 5 p.m. today.
According to the National Weather Service, a strong cold front will drive a line of storms across the Carolinas, resulting in an increased risk for severe thunderstorms. The numerous to widespread severe thunderstorms will be capable of producing damaging wind gusts more than 60 mph, a few tornadoes, and large hail. In addition, frequent cloud-to-ground lightning is also expected, especially with the more intense storms.
“We encourage Pender County residents to closely monitor this developing weather situation,” said Tommy Batson, Pender County assistant emergency manager. “The Pender County Emergency Operations Center is closely monitoring this storm front.”
Trends continue to stabilize as COVID-19 vaccine eligibility opens for some members of Group 4
People with high-risk medical conditions or who live in certain congregate settings now eligible for vaccination
RALEIGH: Governor Roy Cooper and North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, M.D. gave an update on the state’s current data, trends and vaccination progress. Today also marks the opening of vaccine eligibility for people who have a medical condition that puts them at higher risk for severe illness or who live in certain congregate settings.
“With more students in the classroom and millions of people receiving vaccines, there is hope on the horizon,” said Governor Cooper. “But with this virus and its variants continuing to spread, it is too early to let our guard down.”
North Carolina continues to focus on distributing vaccines quickly and equitably. To date, the state has administered over 3.4 million doses. 25.7 percent of those 18 and up is at least partially vaccinated, and 16.5 percent of those 18 and up have been fully vaccinated.
The state is also seeing progress in its continued efforts to emphasize equity in vaccine distribution. Today, the CDC released a report that puts North Carolina among the top ten states in the nation for equitable vaccine distribution.
“We are committed to using every lever we have to ensure that historically marginalized populations can easily access a COVID-19 vaccine – that includes how we allocate vaccines, who we allocate vaccines to, which events we can support, where we deploy state resources, and who we engage on the ground to help address barriers like transportation and internet access,” said Secretary Cohen.
Gov. Cooper and Sec. Cohen also discussed state health officials’ ongoing efforts to monitor the presence of COVID-19 variants and stressed the importance of continuing with safety precautions across the state. Recent data shows an increase in these more contagious variants among those infected in North Carolina. People should continue to protect themselves and those around them by practicing the Three Ws—wear a mask, wait 6 feet apart, and wash hands often.
Dr. Cohen also provided an update on North Carolina’s data and trends.
Trajectory in COVID-Like Illness (CLI) Surveillance Over 14 Days
• North Carolina’s syndromic surveillance trend for COVID-like illness is decreasing.
Trajectory of Confirmed Cases Over 14 Days
• North Carolina’s trajectory of cases is decreasing, however, with new, more contagious variants in the state, we need to keep our guard up.
Trajectory in Percent of Tests Returning Positive Over 14 Days
• North Carolina’s trajectory in percent of tests returning positive is decreasing.
Trajectory in Hospitalizations Over 14 Days
• North Carolina’s trajectory of hospitalizations is decreasing.
In addition to these metrics, the state continues building capacity to adequately respond to an increase in virus spread in testing, tracing and prevention.
Testing
• Testing is widely available across the state.
Tracing Capability
• There have been more than 790,406 downloads of the exposure notification app, SlowCOVIDNC.
Personal Protective Equipment
• North Carolina’s personal protective equipment (PPE) supplies are stable.
View the slides from today’s briefing.