FAQs For Individuals

You cannot enter the Town of Beaufort unless you are a Carteret County resident or are an employee providing Essential Businesses, Essential Governmental Services, or Outdoor Services, or Minimum Basic Operations needed to operate non-essential businesses.

• You cannot engage in group activities of any size with anyone that is not a member of your household or residential unit.

• You cannot have dinner parties or invite friends over to your home.

• You cannot go to bars or nightclubs.

• You cannot go to a nail salon or get your hair cut by a stylist or barber.

• You cannot leave your home unless it is for a reason specifically identified as essential in the Proclamation.

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No.  No groups of non-household members of any size are allowed inside or outside.

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Yes, outdoor recreation is permitted by Carteret County residents. Boat passengers must be members of the same household or residential unit.  Marinas, docks, and boat storage facilities may only provide service to recreational vessels if the passengers are residents of Carteret County, or those who have secondary residences in Carteret County and are residing in them when the Governor's Stay at Home Order takes effect at 5:00 PM on March 30, 2020.  

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People can leave their houses for outdoor recreation individually or as a household unit, but may not gather with others. No sleepovers with friends are permitted.

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No, as long as you were here by the time the Governor's stay at home order takes effect, which is March 30, 2020 at 5:00 PM.

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It depends.  If you are at a hotel or bed and breakfast because you are caring for a family member who lives in Beaufort, or you are employed by an Essential Business or Outdoor Service in Beaufort, or you are providing Essential Governmental Services in Beaufort, you may stay. Also, those who are in isolation or quarantine at a hotel may stay.  All other visitors must leave by 5:00 PM Tuesday, March 31, 2020.

If you are staying at a short term rental (e.g., Airbnb, VRBO) you must leave by 5:00 PM on Tuesday, March 31.

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No.  However,  those on transient vessels must stay at the marina or dock where they are tied up.

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The boat is your home, so you must stay there except for the specific purposes allowed in the Proclamation .

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Outdoor activity is allowed, but gatherings of any number of people occurring outside a single household or residential unit are prohibited.

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If a medical professional says you’re unable to work, if your hours have been reduced, or your employer has shut down -- you can file a claim. 

Governor Cooper’s Executive Order 118 will directly aid workers who may have lost wages in restaurants and meeting places due to mass gathering restrictions. For example, workers who lose income due to tips or scheduled work hours, but are still employed, would be eligible for benefits because of this Executive Order. 

In a Coronavirus Memo dated March 15, 2020, NC Courts are to postpone hearings on foreclosures and evictions(summary ejectments) for at least 30 days.

Yes, but perform social distancing.

Yes. Be sure that you protect them and you by following social distancing guidelines such as washing hands before and after, using hand sanitizer, maintaining at least 6 feet of distance when possible, and covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing. 

If the person you are caring for is sick, follow CDC instructions for caring for someone who is sick.

No. For your safety as well as their safety, we need to help each other fight the spread of COVID-19 by staying at home.

Moving is discouraged. If you had already obtained a new home prior to the issuance of the Proclamation, moving to that new home would constitute essential travel.

Yes.

No. Places of worship have not been exempted as essential activities under the Proclamation. Places of worship can still provide services listed in the order as essential such as food banks and funerals (provided social distancing is observed).

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It is strongly recommended that you do not go to a hospital unless you are seeking emergency medical attention or accompanying a minor who is under 18 years old or someone who is developmentally disabled and needs assistance.

Please use alternative ways to communicate with loved ones at nursing homes and residential care facilities, such as Facetime and texting. The residents at those locations are the most vulnerable to COVID-19.

If you need to know more, please contact the facility you want to visit by phone before you leave, or check Carteret Health Care’s COVID-19 updates online.

People can volunteer for organizations allowed to operate under the Proclamation, but should adhere to Social Distancing Requirements as described in the Proclamation and any other protocols the volunteer service organization has put in place.   High risk populations should stay at home.

Yes

It depends.  The Proclamation only allows: 

• Services needed to maintain the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences
• Services which are conducted entirely outside and with continuous social distancing

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Town parks are open, but you must practice social distancing.  All other Town facilities (including restrooms, tennis courts, and basketball courts) are closed to the public until further notice.

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No.  Unless someone is not feeling well, in which case you should follow CDC instructions for caring for someone who is sick.

People who are experiencing homelessness are encouraged to try to stay with family or friends, identify housing options, or contact the Carteret County Department of Social Services at (252) 728-3181.

Yes, you can go to a laundromat, dry cleaner, and other laundry service providers.

Yes. 

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Grocery store and pharmacy supply chains are working well and stores are continually restocked. There is no need to hoard! 

It’s a good idea to have enough food and other necessities on hand to last for two weeks. 

Essential Businesses, as defined in the Proclamation, are encouraged to continue operating.  Non-essential businesses are not permitted to operate under this Proclamation, except for work-from-home activities or to sustain Minimum Basic Operations. Refer to the Proclamation for a complete description of Essential Businesses and definition of Minimum Basic Operations.

If you believe your employer is violating the Proclamation and you do not wish to work, you can consider contacting a lawyer.  If you are sick, you should seek medical advice.

Please contact friends, family, or others you know who can provide support. They are permitted to pick up any of your needs. 

Contact 211 if you do not have family or friends who can drop off food and supplies, the operators can connect you with a local aide to assist.

Mail, post, shipping, logistics, delivery, and pick-up services are considered essential businesses and are encouraged to remain open.