BREAKING: Gov. Roy Cooper Issues Modified Stay At Home Order

Gov. Roy Cooper announced Tuesday that the state will move into a modified Stay at Home order starting Friday, December 11. The move comes days after North Carolina recorded two days with more than 6,000 new cases, a new record for the state.

Under the new order, residents will be required to stay at home between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. Restaurants, bars, entertainment venues, personal care businesses, and most retail stores will need to close by 10 p.m. and onsite alcohol consumption sales must end by 9 p.m. Grocery stores, pharmacies and gas stations are allowed to remain open.

Gov. Cooper announced the order during a press conference on Tuesday. He said that though there is reason to be hopeful for a vaccine, it will still be a while before most North Carolinians will have access.

"I know that news of effective and safe vaccines has given us all hope, but vaccines aren't here yet," said Cooper. "We have to act now to save lives, safeguard our hospital capacity and preserve our economy."

Numbers across the board have been increasing, including cases, hospitalizations, and positivity rate, and hospitals are beginning to feel the strain. North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen said that while the state is able to manage hospital capacity as of today, the numbers are still worrisome. A new report from UNC and Duke Health shows that the state could run out of hospital beds within weeks if trends continue.

Cooper and Cohen believe the Stay at Home order, along with the current mask mandate, capacity restrictions, and safety protocols already in place, will help slow the rapid spread of COVID-19 in the state. If the numbers don't improve, the state could implement even more restrictions; however, Cooper said, nobody wants that to happen.

"North Carolinians are strong and resilient," said Cooper. "And more than that, we look out for each other, especially when tough times demand it. Dig deep and keep tapping into that spirit to keep each other safe. If we don that, I know we'll get through this and be stronger on the other side."

Watch the full press conference below (begins around the 18 minute mark).

Photo: Getty Images