News Flash

[Wilkesboro, NC, April 15, 2020] – The towns of Wilkesboro, North Wilkesboro, and Ronda have extended their State of Emergency declarations through May 15, 2020. These extensions keep measures designed to lessen the opportunities for person-to-person transmission of the coronavirus in place for several more weeks. Additionally, each town amended its local declaration to include measures put into place by Governor Cooper in Executive Order 131 last week. This action gives Wilkes County’s municipalities the option to keep those measures in place even if Executive Order 131 is lifted.  

“Stay at home measures are working,” said Dr. Chris Ohl of the Infectious Disease Section of Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. “But it’s like a basketball game. You don’t stop playing just because you’re leading after three quarters.” Wilkes government leaders consulted with Dr. Ohl before extending the States of Emergency.

He added: “The models show that there will be a spike in cases if we lift measures at the end of April.”

Wilkes County, Wilkesboro, North Wilkesboro, and Ronda initially issued a joint State of Emergency Declaration on March 13, 2020, and jointly amended it on March 19, 2020. On March 25 and April 1, 2020 the three municipalities jointly amended their declaration to implement additional, town-specific measures.

Wilkes County is also extending its State of Emergency Declaration to May 15, 2020.

Executive Orders issued by Governor Cooper on March 17, March 27, and April 9, 2020 added additional stay-at-home and social distancing requirements. With the exception of Executive Order 131 which establishes a statewide standard, the more restrictive measure remains in effect. In Wilkesboro, North Wilkesboro, and Ronda, for example, the one-shopper per household requirement put into place on April 1, 2020 is not superseded by the retail social distancing standards in state orders. In that case, shoppers must follow both the state requirement and the additional local regulation.

In the weeks to come, the county and towns will consult with scientists, doctors, public health officials, and state agencies to determine when the States of Emergency can end. Based on these consultations, and with public health and safety as the top priorities, the leaders of Wilkes County governments will decide whether to extend the States of Emergency further into May, or begin lifting restrictive measures.