North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper announced Tuesday, Sept. 1, he is moving the state into Phase 2.5. Businesses like gyms and museums in Mecklenburg County and across the state closed since March because of the COVID-19 pandemic can reopen Friday, Sept. 4, at 5 p.m.

In summary, the Governor’s order states:

• Gyms and other indoor exercise facilities can open at 30 percent capacity.
• The limits on mass gatherings will increase to 25 people indoors and 50 people outdoors.
• Playgrounds can open. Museums and aquariums can open at 50 percent capacity.
• Capacity limits at restaurants and personal care businesses like hair and nail salons will stay the same.
• Some places will remain closed, including bars, nightclubs, movie theaters, indoor entertainment & amusement parks. Large venues will still be subject to the mass gathering limits.
• The statewide age requirement for face coverings includes children as young as five.

Fall semester classes are being taught in multiple formats — online, hybrid, blended, and face-to-face. (Hybrid and blended courses include both online and some face-to-face instruction.) The full 16-week semester began Aug. 10. Short session fall classes begin Sept. 14, Oct. 14, and Nov. 11.

For students who attend classes on campus, please read the Student Guide to Returning to Campus carefully. It will be important you follow all of the safety practices detailed in the guide. These include wearing a face covering, keeping a social distance from others, washing your hands frequently, self-monitoring for possible COVID-19 symptoms, and staying home if you feel ill at all.

Employees are encouraged to read the Guide for Returning to Campus to learn how to best keep their teammates and students as healthy and safe as possible going forward.

Class registration for the fall term is ongoing through Nov. 10.