March 23. The governor is ordering more businesses to close, effective 5 pm March 25. The businesses include: Hair and nail salons, barbershops, gyms, theaters, sweepstakes parlors and massage therapists. The governor has requested that they close as soon as possible but no later than 5 pm Wednesday.
On Monday, Rooster’s was closed, but Great Clips was open. UPDATE 9 am: Great Clips has closed.
“The Governor has assured us that grocery stores will remain open and supply lines are open and functioning well. There is no need to horde groceries,” said NC Sen. Natasha Marcus.
NC SEN MARCUS
There is no shelter in place order or any additional closure of businesses.
“If we do need to take these steps, there are a lot of considerations about what constitutes essential,” Marcus, who represents NC Senate District 41, said.
“If you run a business that you believe should be considered essential, you are encouraged to log your request with the Business Emergency Operations Center by sending an email to beoc@ncdps.gov. Include the business name, website, point of contact including name, email, phone number and address.
The Lake Norman Chamber, meanwhile, reports that its board of directors met virtually—via computers, laptops and cell phones—for the first time in its history.
Right now, employees are encouraged to work from home as much as possible, but it is not mandatory for healthy employees.
If you do have to lay off employees, the governor has issued an executive order to make unemployment benefits available immediately to more workers. Employees who have lost hours or their jobs due to coronavirus should apply for benefits immediately at https://des.nc.gov/ or by calling 888-737-0259.
As of March 23, NC was processing 113,000 new jobless benefit claims, Marcus said.
Gov. Coooper also made Economic Injury Disaster Loans available to small businesses and nonprofits to help meet working capital needs or normal business operating expenses through the recovery period.
Business owners and nonprofit directors who would like to discuss their options under the SBA program should call Business Link North Carolina at 1-800-228-8443 or online at https://edpnc.com/.
The SBA has information and loan applications here for businesses affected by COVID-19.
Closures affect employees, owners, landlords and vendors, so the economic impact is broad and deep.
Here are businesses that have been ordered to close Wednesday March 25.
Bingo Parlors, including Bingo sites operated by charitable organizations
Bowling Alleys
Indoor Exercise Facilities (e.g. gyms, yoga studios, martial arts facilities, indoor trampoline and rock-climbing facilities)
Health Clubs
Indoor Pools
Live Performance Venues
Movie Theaters
Skating Rinks
Spas
Sweepstakes Lounges
Video game arcades
Barber Shops
Beauty Salons (including waxing and hair removal centers)
Hair Salons
Nail Salons/Manicure/Pedicure Providers
Massage Parlors
Tattoo Parlors
