Buncombe County issues “Stay Home – Stay Safe” Declaration

This goes into effect Thursday, March 26, 2020 at 8 p.m., to minimize all opportunities for exposure and transmission of COVID-19 across the jurisdiction. This declaration directs all Buncombe County residents to “Stay Home – Stay Safe” and to limit movements outside of their homes that are not deemed essential.  This declaration is valid through Thursday, April 9, 2020, at 6 a.m., but will be regularly reviewed and evaluated which may lead to revision, amendment or extension.

Residents can still:
Go to the grocery and convenience store
Go to the pharmacy to pick up medications and healthcare necessities
Visit a health care facility for medical services that cannot be provided virtually (call first!)
Go to a restaurant, for take-out, delivery, or drive-thru service only
Care for or support a friend, family member, or pet
Take a walk, ride your bike, hike, jog (as long as social distancing measures are maintained)
Walk your pets and take them to the veterinarian
Help others to get necessary supplies
Receive deliveries from any business that delivers

Residents should NOT:
Go out at all if they are sick
Go to work, unless providing essential services as defined by this order
Visit friends and family if there is no specific, urgent need
Be closer than 6 feet from others if out in public
Visit loved ones in the hospital, nursing home, skill nursing facilities, or other residential care facilities, except for limited exceptions as provided by the specific facility
Travel, except for essential travel and activities.

The difference between “Stay Home – Stay Safe” and “Shelter in Place”
Under a Stay Home declaration residents can still perform essential services and conduct essential travel.  Shelter in Place is a declaration that Buncombe County may use in the future.  Shelter in Place only permits Emergency travel and Emergency services, so it is fundamentally more restrictive than a Stay Home order. Buncombe County is not currently planning to enact a Shelter in Place order.

For more information, go to:
https://www.buncombecounty.org/countycenter/news-detail.aspx?id=18580