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Hey Onslow County! North Carolina is currently under a “Safer-at-Home” order and is in Phase 3 of its reopening plan. Below are new guidelines that have been set forth by the state of North Carolina for attractions, outdoor recreation, retail, personal wellness, and events.
Face coverings are required while out in public when indoors and outdoors physical distancing of 6 feet is not possible for all persons 5 & older. Face covering guidance.
Our partners will continue to be diligent in following required and suggested protocols to maintain a level of care and comfort for you. Please continue to help support these local businesses during this time of social distancing.
WAYS TO SUPPORT– If you’re wondering how to help while investing in the health and well-being of your community.
Gathering Limits
The following mass gathering limits are in place for conference rooms, meeting halls, auditoriums, stadiums, arenas, parades, fairs, and festivals.
- Within indoor spaces of public-facing businesses, gatherings of up to 10 people within each room of the facility are allowed.
- In outdoor spaces, gatherings of up to 50 people are allowed.
Events and Gatherings
Concerts, spectator sporting, and entertainment event impacts
Entertainment and professional sports events at large venues may take place so they can be broadcast to the public, but spectators are subject to the mass gathering limit. Professional entertainers, athletes, coaches, performers, support staff, and broadcast staff will not count toward the mass gathering limit. Employees and other workers at facilities where entertainment events occur also will not count toward the mass gathering limit. Venue operators allowing such events must follow specific public health requirements.
- 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.
More guidance on planning for events and mass gatherings of any size within the state of North Carolina can be found here. Also, event planning questions from the CDC can be found here.
See our upcoming signature events, local events, and virtual events.
See Onslow County’s meeting spaces.
Fall Related Events
North Carolina has provided an interum guidance for fall related events such as outdoor activities at farms, pumpkin patches, haunted houses/trails, and agritourism events. Organizers of fall-related events should create and implement a plan to minimize the opportunity for COVID-19 transmission. Please note that some of the traditional types of fall-related events and activities are closed such as indoor haunted houses, mechanical or structural rides and/or carousals, and fair-type games. Gaming establishments may reopen, subject to reduced capacity limits. Tour buses, tour trains, or other scenic transportation that are conducted for amusement purposed only are now open at 30% occupancy limitations with other requirements.. Guests are required to wear face coverings in all public places, including on the premises or on transportation operated by amusement parks, unless an exception applies.
Weddings & Funerals
There is no mass gathering limit on the people who may attend a wedding or funeral ceremony. Venues may host wedding receptions and visitations with an occupancy limit of the lesser of 100 people or 30% of the stated fire capacity. Guests must be seated and the establishment must follow other requirements set forth in the order. Facilities should avoid scheduling a standing reception or cocktail hour. Guests are encouraged to follow the Three Ws (Wear a face covering, Wash hands and Wait 6 feet apart).
Tips for event organizers
If you’re an event organizer, we encourage you to work directly with your contracted venues, host hotels, and vendors within Onslow County to postponed or reschedule your event.
For additional resources for meetings and events, please review the U.S. Travel Association’s Emergency Preparedness and Response Coronavirus (COVID-19) Toolkit found here.
