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Editor’s note: We will be adding to this list daily. If you have something you would like to add or that we missed, please email danielle.puleo@thecoastlandtimes.com. 

On March 16, the Dare County Control Group met and put in place a state of emergency effective immediately.

The state of emergency prohibits mass gatherings of 50 people or more. “This does not include airports, bus and train stations, medical facilities, libraries, shopping malls and centers, or other spaces where more than fifty (50) persons are gathered. It also does not include office environments, restaurants, factories, grocery stores or other retail establishments.”

However, on March 17, NC Governor Roy Cooper announced an executive order in response to COVID-19 which restricts all restaurants and bars from dine-in service, but allows carry-out and delivery to continue.

This followed a previous executive order issued March 14 closing all public school systems in NC for at least two weeks. In turn, after a decision made by the North Carolina High School Athletic Association athletics, all athletics have been suspended, along with travel and field trips.

As of March 17, the following public businesses and organizations have announced closures, cancellations and postponements:

The Dare County Center, Thomas A. Baum Senior Center, Fessenden Center and Parks and Recreation facilities are closed as of 2 p.m. March 16. All Dare County libraries (Kill Devil Hills, Manteo, Hatteras Island) closed on March 16 as well.

Dare County events that have been cancelled include the Dare County EMS MedFlight Open House (March 28) the Parks and Recreation Egg Hunt (April 4) and Eggstravaganza (March 28).

The Currituck, Knotts Island and Powell’s Point Senior Centers are closed for a minimum of 30 days. The centers will not be open to the public and all public and civic group meetings are cancelled. The centers will continue to provide home-delivered meal service on a regular schedule.

The Elizabethan Gardens closed noon on March 17 until further notice. North Carolina Aquariums also closed on March 17, which includes Roanoke Island, Pine Knoll Shores, Fort Fisher and Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head. Aquarium programs are cancelled indefinitely; ticket holders or those who have already registered for programs will be contacted by aquarium staff.

The Frisco Native American Museum and Natural History Center has cancelled their Native Journey’s Festival on April 25 and 26. All Taste of the Beach events scheduled for March 26 through 29 have been cancelled. Refunds will be issues automatically but funds “may take may take a couple days to appear on ticket holders’ accounts.”

The Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum has cancelled the following programs for the month of April: Underwater Heritage Symposium, Ocracoke Wild (lecture), U-boats off the North Carolina Coast (lecture), Painting Handcrafted Canvas-Backed Decoys (demonstration), Wreck of the Caribsea (lecture), A Bermudian Pirate Ship? (lecture).

Jockey’s Ridge State Park has closed the visitor’s center and park office to the public as of March 17 until further notice.

Meetings and events at the Coastal Federation have been cancelled/postponed indefinitely. The College of The Albemarle has also cancelled or postponed all campus events through April 30. The Outer Banks History Center in Festival Park is closed.

In the Town of Kill Devil Hills, the following events have been cancelled: West-side Recreation Group meeting (March 18), Community Appearance Commission/Help KDH Kick Butts meeting (March 26), KDH Trash Attack (April 25) and unnecessary visits to and tours of the KDH Fire Department have been suspended until further notice.

In the Town of Nags Head, the following events have been cancelled: town-wide Clean Up Day (March 28) and the police department’s Easter Eggs Hunt (April 11). Nags Head offices are open normal business hours. However, face-to-face contact will be limited.

The Town of Southern Shores and the Town of Manteo have chosen to follow suit with the county’s state of emergency measures and have prohibited all mass gatherings in accordance with the plan. Southern Shores Town Hall will be closed to the public and all town hall business shall be conducted via phone, email, fax or other virtual means to the greatest extent possible. Documents requiring delivery to Town staff can be placed in the drop box located outside the main entrance into town hall (nearest the flagpole).

Kitty Hawk has not cancelled any town wide events as of yet, but will be updating the town on future meetings/events as they come up.

The Town of Duck has postponed their Bias Speaker Series lecture (March 21) with a new date to be determined. Town Council and Planning Board meetings are to be determined as well. The Town Hall building is currently open, but staff ask that residents call or email before visiting.

READ ABOUT MORE NEWS AND EVENTS HERE.

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