Cooper Urges Stronger Enforcement Of State COVID-19 Restrictions

Governor Roy Cooper's administration has sent a letter to local elected officials asking for more rigid enforcement of the state's COVID-19 restrictions. 

The letter was signed by the governor, Health Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen, and Public Safety Secretary Erik Hooks.

It “strongly encourages” local officials to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in their communities by considering additional enforcement measures.

The letter comes on the heels of a state Justice Department advisory opinion saying local governments “may unquestionably enforce local ordinances that establish civil penalties for violations of the governor's COVID-19 executive orders.”

Dr. Cohen said in a news release that North Carolina is “on a dangerous course” as the state sees record highs in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations.

The letter is meant in part to assure local elected officials that they have the legal authority to enforce restrictions, including a recently modified stay-at-home order that introduced an overnight curfew.

A number of local municipalities, including Winston-Salem and Greensboro, have established mask mandates and reduced occupancy requirements.

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