Please see the following Phase 3 guidance updates along with other resources:

Phase 3 Updates:

• NEW Phase 3 Guidance

• NCDHHS Interim Guidance for Meeting Rooms and Event Spaces – NEW
• NCDHHS Interim Guidance for Very Large Outdoor Venue Settings – NEW
• Interim Guidance for Indoor and Outdoor Small and Medium Size Venue Settings – NEW
• NCDHHS Interim Guidance for Movie Theaters and Indoor Gaming – NEW
• NCDHHS Interim Guidance for Bars and Outdoor Seating Areas in Bars – NEW
• NCDHHS Interim Guidance for Amusement Parks – NEW
• NCDHHS Interim Guidance for Places of Worship and Religious Services – UPDATED
• NCDHHS Interim General Guidance for Businesses and Organizations – UPDATED
• NCDHHS Interim Guidance for Fall-Related Events – UPDATED
• NCDHHS Interim Guidance for Museum and Aquariums – UPDATED
• NCDHHS Interim Guidance for Indoor Fitness Centers and Gyms Settings – UPDATED

Phase 3 FAQs: https://www.nc.gov/covid-19/staying-ahead-curve/phase-3-faqs

• NEW Phases graphic in Phase 3 guidance

PRESS RELEASES since the last update include:

• NCDHHS Announces New Partnership to Address Unmet Health Needs of Historically Marginalized Communities
• Governor Cooper Moves North Carolina to Phase 3 With Stable Numbers
• NC Medicaid Surpasses 1 Million Telehealth Visits Since Beginning of COVID-19 Pandemic

• NCDHHS Adds Antigen Test Information to COVID-19 Dashboard
• NCDHHS to Provide Extra Help Buying Food for More Than 600,000 Children
• NCDHHS Updates Nursing Home Visitation Order as State Has Stabilizing Metrics, Mandated Testing and Strict Infection Control Measures

NEW resources since the last update include:

• NEW resources have been added to the Non-Congregate Sheltering page

• NCDHHS Non-Congregate Sheltering Program Overview
• A Grower’s Guide –Identifying Safe Housing for Farmworkers

NEW 10 Actions for Faith Leaders web page UPDATED Flyers in SlowCOVIDNC communications toolkit

UPDATED guidance since the last update include:

• UPDATED Youth Amateur Sports guidance
• NEW Guidance for Maternal Health and Pregnancy
• Secretarial Order 6 added; updates made to long-term care web page
• NEW Halloween Guidance

UPDATED reports since the last update include:

• CLI Surveillance report
• Outbreaks and Clusters reports
• Risk Factors for Severe Illness report
• Patients Presumed to be Recovered report

NEW EVENTS ADDED to the community testing events page

UPDATED Contact Tracing numbers

Larry D. Michael, REHS, MPH

State Environmental Health Director/Section Chief

Division of Public Health, Environmental Health Section

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services

Office: 919 707 5855

Fax: 919 845 3973

larry.michael

Governor Cooper has declared September 20-26, 2020, as Registered Environmental Health Specialist Week in North Carolina. We are fortunate in our field to have food scientists, environmental engineers, soil scientists, toxicologists, epidemiologists, microbiologists, and many other sciences represented under the umbrella of environmental health. The value of our diverse knowledge base is reflected in our ability to respond to any public health crisis, including a pandemic. So, I would like to personally thank all 1,094 of you for all you’re doing for your community—providing consultation for reopening, handling questions about cleaning and disinfecting, advising how to ensure stagnant water systems are returned to safe operation, assessing and assisting restaurants, child care centers, and other facilities—all while maintaining our core services.

Another important thing to keep in mind is that we’re in a marathon and all of us “public healthers” need to ensure we’re taking care of ourselves and our co-workers. So schedule some time to disconnect and de-stress—I promise you’ll be able to contribute more when you return. And whether you’re working or taking some time off, be sure to spread a little kindness.

Please note that this is also National Food Safety Education Month, last week was SepticSmart Week (also recognized by Governor Cooper in a Proclamation), and September 26th is World Environmental Health Day.

I encourage public health leaders and others to reach out to your REHS staff and show them your appreciation.

I hope you have a great week and please be safe.

Thank you,

Larry

Larry D. Michael, REHS, MPH

State Environmental Health Director/Section Chief

Division of Public Health, Environmental Health Section

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services

Office: 919 707 5855

Fax: 919 845 3973

larry.michael

5605 Six Forks Road

1632 Mail Service Center

Raleigh, NC 27699-1632

Registered Environmental Health Specialist Week_2020.pdf

Please see the attached memos regarding delegation of authority to waive the enforcement of certain regulatory and legal constraints, including guidance for Environmental Health Specialists on a waiver of requirements for the expiration date of transitional food establishment permits.

For questions, please contact Veronica Bryant, Emergency Response and Outbreak Coordinator, at veronica.bryant or by phone at 919-218-6943, or you may contact me at larry.michael or 919-707-5855.

Thank you,

Larry D. Michael, REHS, MPH

State Environmental Health Director/Section Chief

Division of Public Health, Environmental Health Section

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services

Office: 919 707 5855

Fax: 919 845 3973

larry.michael

5605 Six Forks Road

1632 Mail Service Center

Raleigh, NC 27699-1632

EO 130 Transitional Permit Guidance FINAL.pdf

EO 130 and 139 Delegation DPH.pdf

EO 130 and 139 Exercise DPH Final.pdf

As you are aware, on Friday at 5 pm, North Carolina will move to Safer At Home–Phase 2. After two weeks in Phase 1, the state’s overall key indicators remain stable but the continued increases in daily case counts signal a need to take a more modest step forward in Phase 2 than originally envisioned.

In making the announcement to lift COVID-19 restrictions, Governor Cooper said, “North Carolina is using the data to guide our decisions about when to lift COVID-19 restrictions, and overall our key indicators remain stable. Safer At Home Phase 2 is another careful step forward, and we have to continue taking this virus seriously to prevent a dangerous spike in infections.”

“From the beginning, North Carolinians have joined together to confront this crisis. We need to rely upon one another to practice the three Ws [covid19.ncdhhs.gov] as we begin leaving our homes more. When we wear a face covering, wait six feet apart, and wash our hands often, we are showing we care for our loved ones and neighbors,” said Dr. Mandy Cohen.

NC DHHS also unveiled an updated COVID-19 Dashboard [covid19.ncdhhs.gov]. The interactive dashboard provides an overview on the metrics and capacities that the state is following to inform decisions to responsibly ease measures that slow the spread of the virus.

Phase 2 Resources

• Executive Order 141
• FAQs
• Data Presentation from Press Briefing
• What Phase 2 Means for North Carolina

Interim Guidance for:

• Child Care Settings
• Day Camp Settings
• Large Venue Settings
• Overnight Camp Settings
• Public Pools and Spas
• Restaurants
• Retail Businesses
• Salons, Massage and Personal Care Business Settings
• Tattoo Business Settings

As a reminder, the provisions of this Executive Order are enforced by state and local law enforcement.

For questions, please contact Veronica Bryant, Emergency Response and Outbreak Coordinator, at veronica.bryant or by phone at 919-218-6943, or you may contact me at larry.michael or 919-707-5855.

Thank you,

Larry

Larry D. Michael, REHS, MPH

State Environmental Health Director/Section Chief

Division of Public Health, Environmental Health Section

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services

Office: 919 707 5855

Fax: 919 845 3973