Buncombe County's Stay Safe, Stay Smart Order Update

North Carolina -- Buncombe County Goverment News: Buncombe County officials continue to take proactive steps to keep our community safe and healthy during the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic.

Governor Cooper has signed Executive Order (EO) No. 151, which will go into effect July 17, 2020, at 5 p.m., and Buncombe County will be fully aligning with this new order. EO 151 extends Phase 2 of Reopening until Aug. 7. Buncombe County Public Health has issued a superseding Stay Safe, Stay Smart Declaration that will go into effect at 5 p.m. on Friday, July 17, 2020, and will remain in effect until Aug. 7, 2020, unless otherwise repealed, replaced, or rescinded.

View Phase 2 Extension FAQs here. 

If you have any questions about this new order, please reach out to our Ready Team Monday-Friday between 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Call  (828) 419-0095 or email ready@buncombecounty.org. 

Download Declaration Document here

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA

COUNTY OF BUNCOMBE SUPERSEDING DECLARATION OF LOCAL STATE OF EMERGENCY

July 17, 2020

SECOND EXTENSION OF PHASE 2: EASING OF CERTAIN COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS
WHEREAS, beginning in December 2019, a novel coronavirus, now designated SARS-CoV2 which causes
the disease COVID-19, has spread through the world and has now been declared a global pandemic by the
World Health Organization;
WHEREAS, in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic the Governor of North Carolina declared a State of
Emergency on March 10, 2020 and a number of additional Executive Orders have been issued by the
Governor for the purposes of protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the people of North Carolina;
WHEREAS, a local State of Emergency was declared by Buncombe County Commissioners on March 12,
2020, and supplemental and superseding local declarations have been issued to limit local public
gatherings and the operations of specified businesses;
WHEREAS, the Governor has entered a number of executive orders to address the pandemic and by
Executive Order 151 ("EO151") dated July 16, 2020 the Governor extended restrictions contained in
EO141 and EO147 through Friday, August 7, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.; and
WHEREAS, EO151 includes clarifications and restrictions regarding requirements of documented
medical exceptions for use of exercise facilities, gyms, and fitness facilities as well as clarifications and
restrictions on parties and receptions; and
WHEREAS, based on data trends in Buncombe County COVID-19 cases and their associated burdens and
this Board finds it in the best interest of the citizens and residents of Buncombe County to align with
EO151.
NOW THEREFORE, pursuant to the authority contained in Chapter 21, Buncombe County Code of
Ordinances and Article 1A of the N.C. Gen. Stat. Chapter 166A, the Board of Commissioners, do hereby
declare and order the following:
1. Buncombe County aligns in all respects with the restrictions imposed by EO151 which becomes
effective at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, July 17, 2020 and shall remain in effect until 5:00 p.m. on Friday,
August 7, 2020 unless otherwise repealed, replaced, or rescinded.
2. The provisions of the Buncombe County March 12, 2020 Declaration of State of Emergency
regarding Local State of Emergency and activation of the local Emergency Management Plan shall
remain in effect until otherwise repealed, replaced, or rescinded. 3. If any subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, or word of this Order or any application of it to any
person, structure, gathering, or circumstance is held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a decision
of a court of competent jurisdiction, then such decision will not affect the validity of the remaining
portions or applications of this Order.
4. Except as to the Buncombe County March 12, 2020 Declaration of State of Emergency this Second
Extension of Phase 2 Order shall go into effect at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, July 17, 2020 and shall
remain in effect until 5:00 p.m. on Friday, August 7, 2020 unless otherwise repealed, replaced, or
rescinded.
Adopted this the 17th day of July, 2020.
ATTEST: BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS FOR THE
COUNTY OF BUNCOMBE
By:
Lamar Joyner, Clerk Brownie Newman, Chairman