CORONAVIRUS INFORMATION

Coronavirus Updates
Stay up-to-date on the City of Burlington's response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. As information becomes available on service modifications, closures or cancellations as well as information from local government it will be posted here. Important information and links to other reliable organizations are also referenced here.

Follow the Alamance County Health Department for countywide information, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) for statewide information and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for national and international information.

Latest Announcements


- On Monday, April 6, 2020, the City of Burlington amended their local State of Emergency. This amended Declaration will take effect at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, April 8, 2020. This amendment is to further stop the spread of COVID-19 and is in response to issues identified since the release of Governor Roy Cooper’s Executive Order 121 on March 27, 2020. The State of Emergency is applicable within the jurisdiction of the City of Burlington and is subject to enforcement by the Burlington Police Department. The City encourages cooperation and aims to achieve voluntary compliance for the health and well-being of our community. View the Amended State of Emergency Declaration  Spanish version of amended SOE. View the Media Release. For a summary of the amendments that effect car washes, big box retailers and funerals click here.

- Governor issues Stay at Home Order to go into effect on March 30, 2020 at 5:00 pm. View Summary of Restrictions and the FAQs.

- The City of Burlington issues a Local State of Emergency that will be in effect from 8:00 am on March 27, 2020 until 5:00 pm on April 30, 2020. View the Declaration of a Local State of Emergency.

Quick Links



Frequently Asked Questions

This web page provides information about Coronavirus, the City's response, resources available to the public and businesses and the most up-to-date info on City cancellations, closures and schedule modifications. Below are answers to the most frequently asked questions:

  1. Where can I find information about City closures, cancellations, and service modifications?
    This web page - www.BurlingtonNC.gov/CoronaVirus - is updated regularly to reflect changes in City service provision including closures, cancellations, modified hours, or process changes. Please review the this page for the latest City of Burlington service modifications. Service changes can be seen here. Information for departments are located on separate tabs and are updated regularly.

  2. What is in the State’s Executive Order and the City’s State of Emergency and how does this affect my life?
    If you have questions about what you can and cannot do in accordance with the current Executive Order and City’s State of Emergency, you can review copies of each order: Executive Order and the City's State of Emergency. Review the FAQs regarding the State’s Executive Order. You can find all of the Governor’s Executive Orders online here. 

    The City issued a State of Emergency on March 27, 2020. The State of Emergency was amended on April 6, 2020 to include additional guidance for essential retail stores, car washes, and businesses deemed non-essential by the Department of Revenue. 

    www.AlamanceStrong.com is a local resource built for business but also illustrates what can and cannot be done under the current regulations.

    Alamance County’s COVID hotline is also a great resource for interpretation of specific coronavirus-related questions. Callers can contact (866) 462-3821 to speak with local representative with access to locally relevant COVID facts.

  3. How can I report a violation of the State Executive Order or the City’s State of Emergency?
    Local law enforcement has been tasked with enforcing violations of Executive Orders and the City’s State of Emergency. If you need to report a violation, such as a non-essential business operating or crowds of more than 10 people, you may contact the Burlington Police Department’s non-emergency line: 336-229-3500.

  4.  How do I find assistance/resources?
    NC 211 is a centralized point of contact to connect residents with resources and also log those resource requests to help the state better respond to community needs. NC 211 also provides alerts and information to subscribers. Dial 2-1-1 or 888-892-1162 to get assistance. 

  5. Businesses in distress or in need of guidance or assistance?
    www.AlamanceStrong.com is a wealth of information for businesses and employees.

    Economic Development Director Peter Bishop can assist business owners in matching them with available resources. Mr. Bishop can be reached at 252-722-1556 or at pbishop@burlingtonnc.gov.

  6. Where can I find information about filing for Unemployment due to COVID-related job loss?
    Executive Order 118 addresses changes to Unemployment regulations related to COVID job loss. https://des.nc.gov/need-help/covid-19-nc-unemployment-insurance-information

    The fastest and most efficient way to file a new claim is to create an online account and file online at www.des.nc.gov. If you’re temporarily out of work or your working hours have been reduced due to COVID-19, choose ‘coronavirus’ as your reason for separation when filing your claim. Remember, you must complete a Weekly Certification each week to receive benefits for that week. Sign into your online account to complete your Weekly Certification. Eligibility, the exact amount of benefits and the duration period of those benefits cannot be determined until after you file your claim. After you file your claim, your last employer is given, by law, 10 days to respond to DES about your claim. No payment will be released until after this 10-day period. If there are no issues with a claim, individuals typically receive payment within about 14 days of filing their initial claim.

  7. Do I need a letter or documentation to go to an essential job or do essential tasks/errands?
     No, you are not required to carry proof (letter or credentials) for essential travel, work, or tasks. You are allowed to leave your home for the following reasons in accordance with Executive Order 121:
    • For health and safety pertaining to yourself, family or household members, and pets
    • For necessary supplies and services (including groceries, consumer products, automobile supplies)
    • For outdoor activity (walking, running, golfing, hiking, or biking) MUST ABIDE BY SOCIAL DISTANCING GUIDELINES
    • Certain types of work or to carry out activities including minimum basic operations
    • To take care of others
    • Travel to and from places of worship
    • To receive goods and services
    • To and from one’s place or places of residence for purposes including, but not limited to, child custody or visitation arrangements.
    • For volunteering with organizations that provide charitable and social services.
  8. What are Burlington’s regulations for funerals (above and beyond State restrictions)?
    Burlington’s State of Emergency places more restrictive rules on unerals than the State. Burlington’s regulations are applicable in Burlington’s City limits. 
    •  No more than ten (10) people, indoor or outdoor
    • Different groups of ten (10) people may attend the visitation, indoor service, and graveside services 
    • Persons are allowed to stay in their vehicles to attend a graveside service (this is in addition to the 10-person limit at the actual grave site)
    • Suggested that funeral homes stream their services through a variety of means available due to the mandatory restrictions in place
  9. What regulations must church services abide by?
    Several churches have contacted the City hoping for clarification regarding their ability to host a drive-in church service. This is allowed as long as families stay in their vehicles. It is advised that windows remain up and the church utilizes radio to broadcast the service.

    It is recommended that religious services are streamed over the internet and not provided in person.

    Churches must comply with social distancing regulations and not have gatherings of more than 10 in any single space (indoor or outdoor).

  10. Are we allowed to exercise or participate in other outdoor activities?
    Outdoor exercise and activity are permitted per the State’s Executive Order 121. Walking, running, hiking, golfing, and biking are all permitted as long as proper social distancing is adhered to. Organized play on any City courts or fields is prohibited in the City’s State of Emergency. Public and private playgrounds are closed. Please click here to view available parks and their hours of operation and modifications to their offered amenities.

  11. What is considered an essential business?
    Per Executive Order 121 the following are considered essential businesses, not-for-profit organizations and educational institutions:
    • Businesses that meet Social Distancing Guidelines
    • Businesses operation in CISA (critical infrastructure) identified sectors 
    • Healthcare and Public Health Operations
    • Human Services Operations
    • Essential Infrastructure Operations -food/beverage production, distribution, fulfillment centers, storage facilities
      -construction
      -building grounds and management
      -airport operations
      -operation and maintenance of utilities
      -distribution centers
      -oil and biofuel refining
      -roads, highways, railroads, public transportation
      -ports
      -cybersecurity operations
      -flood control
      -solid waste and recycling collection and removal
      -internet and telecommunications systems
    • Essential Governmental Operations
    • Stores that sell groceries and medicine
    • Food, beverage production and agriculture
    • Organizations that provide charitable and social services (food banks)
    • Religious entities
    • Media
    • Gas Stations and business needed for transportation
      -auto supply
      -sales
      -tire
      -auto-repair
      -roadside assistance and towing services
      -farm equipment
      -construction equipment
      -boat repair and related facilities
      -bicycle shops and related facilities
    • Financial and insurance institutions
    • Home improvement, hardware and supply stores
    • Critical trades
    • Mail, post, shipping, logistics, delivery, and pick-up services
    • Educational institutions (for the purpose of facilitating remote learning, performing critical research, or performing essential functions)
    • Laundry services
    • Restaurants for consumption off-premises
    • Supplies to work from home
    • Supplies for COVID-19 Essential business and operations
    • Transportation (Taxis, Lyft, Uber, airlines, vehicle rental, trains, marinas, docks, boat storage)
    • Home based care and services
    • Residential facilities and shelters
    • Professional services (legal, accounting, insurance, professional engineering and architectural, land surveying, real estate, and tax preparation services)
    • Manufacture, distribution, and supply chain for critical products and industries.
    • Defense and military contractors
    • Hotels and Motels
    • Funeral services
    • Additional COVID-19 Essential Retail Businesses
      -electronic retailers that sell or service cell phones, computers, tablets, and other communications technology
      -lawn and garden equipment retailers
      -book stores that sell educational material.
  12. If a business is not on the essential list, what can they do?
    All businesses and operations in the State, except COVID-19 Essential Businesses and Operations defined in the State Executive Order 121, are required to cease all activity within the State except Minimum Basic Operations. Businesses may also continue operations consisting exclusively of employees or contractors performing activities at their own residences (i.e. working from home).

    If a business thinks they should be classified as essential, they can make a request to NC Department of Revenue via their website: https://www.ncdor.gov/home/ncdor-actions-covid-19/covid-19-essential-businesses

    Per the City’s Amended State of Emergency (4-6-20), businesses deemed non-essential by the Department of Revenue must cease operations. 

    All businesses can continue minimum basic operations that comply with social distancing requirements. 
    • Minimum necessary activities to maintain the value of the business’s inventory, preserve the condition of the business’s physical plant and equipment, ensure security, process payroll and employee benefits, or related functions.
    • Minimum necessary activities to facilitate employees of the business being able to continue to work remotely from their residences. 
  13. Income Tax Information due to COVID-19:
    North Carolina Department of Revenue has extended the filing deadline to July 15, 2020. However, the Department must charge interest for tax due but received after April 15th. For more information on this, visit the NCDOR's website.




Health-Related Resources for Coronavirus (COVID-19)

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW



  • COVID-19 is a respiratory illness due to a new type of coronavirus (novel coronavirus).
  • Symptoms include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing.
  • COVID-19 is spread mainly from person-to-person among close contacts of individuals infected with this virus.
  • It’s important to remember that diseases, including COVID-19, can make anyone sick regardless of their race or nationality.

RESOURCES & INFORMATION REGARDING YOUR HEALTH



Cone Health On-line COVID-19 Assessment Test
Do you think you might have, coronavirus, use this online tool to check your symptoms.

Alamance County Public Health Coronavirus Call Center: (336) 290-0361
The call center allows residents with questions about the coronavirus to speak with a public health nurse and, if needed, be connected with a provider who will then determine if a flu test and/or COVID-19 test is needed.

Alamance County Health Department: (336) 227-0101

NC Coronavirus Hotline: (866) 462-3821

United Way Call 211: 2-1-1 or (888) 892-1162
United Way Call 211 provides assistance with food, housing, or essential services.

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS)

Centers for Disease Control (CDC) 

Stay at Home Order - Information and FAQs

On Friday, March 27, 2020 Governor Roy Cooper signed Executive Order 121, ordering North
Carolinians to remain in their homes except for performing essential work and essential
activities such as taking care of others, obtaining necessary supplies, and for health and safety
purposes. The order goes into effect on Monday, March 30, 2020 at 5 pm.

This Stay at Home Order will help slow the spread of COVID-19 and prevent the medical system
from being overwhelmed by keeping individuals from being exposed to the virus and keeping
those who have the virus from spreading it to others. 

View the Stay at Home Order declaration
View Stay at Home Order FAQs
View Stay at Home Order Summary of Key Restrictions

Declaration of Local State of Emergency

The City of Burlington is under a Local State of Emergency that is in effect from 8:00 am on March 27, 2020 until 5:00 pm on April 30, 2020. The State of Emergency limits recreation facilities, prohibition on gatherings of more than 10 persons. View the complete Declaration of a Local State of Emergency. 

On April 7, the City of Burlington has amended the State of Emergency to further stop the spread of COVID-19. The amended State of Emergency will take effect at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, April 8, 2020. View the complete Local State of Emergency Amended Declaration. Spanish version of Amended SOE.

Quick Guide to the Amended State of Emergency



NON-ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES
If your business is not deemed ESSENTIAL under the Governor’s Executive Order 121 and if your application to the NC Department of Revenue for ESSENTIAL classification has been denied: 
  • You must close your business to customers and remain closed 
  • Your employees may do the minimum necessary to maintain the condition of inventory, maintain the premises, ensure security, and process payroll and other employee benefits 
  • Your employees may do the minimum necessary on site to allow for remote work (ie maintain computer systems, phone systems, etc.) 
FUNERAL SERVICES
Review this document to understand restrictions based on Executive Order 121 as well as the Amended State of Emergency for the City of Burlington. The document is available in both English and Spanish.

CAR WASHES
Car washes in the City of Burlington may remain open and operating for exterior car washes only.
  • Patrons shall remain in car for drive-thru car washes. With drive-thru car washes.
  • Internal vacuuming stations/islands may remain operational for patron use only. Sanitizer must be provided by the operator and readily available onsite to enable the cleaning and sanitizing of washing and vacuuming equipment (handles, wands, hoses, etc.) after each use of the equipment. 
  • In no instance shall car wash staff/employees enter a patron’s vehicle.
GENERAL RETAIL RESTRICTIONS 
For retail stores deemed ESSENTIAL under the Governor’s Executive Order 121: 
  • Customers should bring fewest number of people necessary to shop 
  • Stores should do the following:
    - Clean all cart and hand basket handles every time before providing them to customers
    - Provide hand sanitizer in the store.
    - Make sure that store employees follow CDC and/or NC DHHS guidelines for hygiene and safety. 
    - Provide store employees with leave time and flexible options, so they may take time off if they feel ill, need to quarantine due to exposure to COVID-19, or experience symptoms. 
BIG BOX RETAIL RESTRICTIONS (stores 7500 sq/ft and over) 
Big Box Stores -  Outdoor Requirements:
  • Only one point of entry to the store is allowed.  
  • The line to enter the store should be marked every six feet reminding customers to maintain social distance while waiting. 
  • Signage outside the store (in English and Spanish) will remind customers to maintain social distance and will include the maximum number of customers allowed in the store (see below).
  • Employees will allow customers in one at a time maintaining a count of the number of customers in the store. 
  • When the store reaches its capacity (see below) customers will be allowed in on a ‘one in – one out’ basis 
Big Box Stores - Indoor Requirements:
  • Stores should make aisles ‘one-way’ and provide marks (such as tape on the floor) to ensure customers maintain a 6 foot distance from employees and other customers.
  • Stores should place many signs (in English and Spanish) to remind customers to maintain social distance, especially while in line. 
  • Customers should exit through a different door then the entry door. 
BIG BOX STORE CUSTOMER MAXIMUMS
The goal is for customers to occupy 50% of usable floor space in a BIG BOX STORE. The most efficient way to determine this is to multiple the Store’s square footage by .0017. The result will give you the maximum number of occupants. This equation is based on the NC Building Code. 
  • EXAMPLE: Retail Store is 131,000 sq/ft. Then 131,000 x .0017 =  222.70. So maximum occupants = 223.

  

Media Release from the City of Burlington

Governor's Executive Orders

Visit www.Governor.nc.gov for complete list of Executive Orders and information on North Carolina's Coronavirus Response.
 
March 31, 2020 Executive Order 124 - Prohibiting utility shut-offs, guidance about restrictions on evictions, encouraging telecommunications, banks and mortgage servicers to provide assistance and flexibility to customers.

March 31, 2020 Executive Order 123 - Amends executive order 40 by extending early childhood advisory council.

March 30, 2020 Executive Order 122 - Donation of state surplus property to assist state agencies, local governments, and schools in response to public health emergency.

March 27, 2020 Executive Order 121 - Stay at Home order, gatherings of more than 10 prohibited, limited essential businesses.  


March 26, 2020 COB Local State of Emergency - Limits on recreation facilities, prohibition on gatherings of more than 10 persons

March 23, 2020 Executive Order 120 - Limit gatherings of 50 persons, limit access to long-term care facilities, extended school closures, and closed certain type businesses (Spas, hair salons, gyms etc.)

March 20, 2020 Executive Order 119 - Critical Transportation and expansion of childcare act

March 17, 2020 Executive Order 118 - Closure of Bars and limits on Restaurants

March 14, 2020 Executive Order 117- Prohibition of Mass Gatherings/School Closure

March 10, 2020 Executive Order 116 - Declared State of Emergency COVID-19

Cancellation, Closures & Modified Schedule


(click tab below to see changes for each department)
  1. Recreation & Parks
  2. Collections, Billing & Customer Service
  3. Animal Services
  4. City Hall Services
  5. Link Transit
  6. Solid Waste Services
Updated: 3/31/20

Recreation & Parks Administrative Office is open by appointment only. The public is requested to handle business with the Recreation & Parks Department via phone, email, or mail service when possible. For general questions, assistance or to set up an appointment, contact the Recreation & Parks Department at (336) 2220-5030 or Recreation@BurlingtonNC.gov.

CLOSED PARKS & FACILITIES


  • All playgrounds, basketball courts and fitness equipment.
  • Elmira Community Center
  • Fairchild Park Community Center
  • Forest Hills Community Center
  • Kernodle Senior Center
  • Mayco Bigelow Community Center
  • Maynard Aquatic Center
  • Thataways Youth Center

OPEN PARKS & FACILITIES


All parks, trails, greenways, marinas, and the Indian Valley Golf Course currently remain OPEN. Visitors should maintain 6 feet of social distance and visit parks for solitary recreational activities only. Please avoid crowds and refrain from group activity. Please note that all playgrounds and basketball courts in these parks are closed. 
  • City Park (restroom at Field #5 open, all others closed)
  • Davidson Park (restroom at park office open, all others closed)
  • Fairchild Park
  • Indian Valley Golf Course 
    Service Modifications: The Clubhouse is only open for payments. Only one golfer per golf cart.All pencils/scorecards will be discarded after use. Patrons are asked to not touch the flagsticks. 
  • Jiggs Askew Memorial Dog Park
  • Lakes & Marinas (Cammack, Guilford-Mackintosh, Mackintosh & Stoney Creek)
    Service modification: All boat rentals are closed until further notice. Hours of 7:00 am - 6:30 pm will be maintained until further notice (Stoney Creek will be 7:30 am - 6:00 pm).
  • North Park
  • Springwood Park (restroom at baseball complex open, all others are closed)
  • Depot restrooms

Programming Modifications


  • All activities, programs and events are cancelled until further notice.
  • All youth and adult athletic activities and registration have been frozen until further notice.
  • All rentals, as well as privately hosted events on public property via City’s Special Event application are cancelled at least through April 30.
  • No new facility rentals will be taken until further notice.
  • Registrations for camp Green Leaves and Summer Camp can be accommodated by appointment by calling 336-222-5030.

Resources for Businesses & Employers