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What the 'Stay at Home' Order Means to Cornelius
Yesterday, Mecklenburg County issued a Stay at Home Order beginning Thursday, March 26, 2020, at 8:00 a.m. in order to further combat the spread of COVID-19 in our community.

This order directs all Mecklenburg County residents to shelter at home and limit movements outside of their homes beyond essential needs. This order is valid through April 16, 2020 , but will be regularly reviewed and evaluated and may be revised, amended, or extended accordingly, based upon recommendations by the Mecklenburg County Public Health Director and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Emergency Management.

The goal of our community should be to find a way to comply with this order rather than focusing on how they may be exempt from it. The higher rate of compliance to the Stay at Home order, the better chance Mecklenburg County has of containing the spread of COVID-19 and returning to normal operations.
WHAT THIS MEANS TO YOU
Under this order, YOU CAN:

  • Go to the grocery, convenience or warehouse store

  • Go to the pharmacy to pick up medications and other healthcare necessities

  • Visiting a health care professional for medical services that cannot be provided virtually (call first)

  • Go to a restaurant for take-out, delivery or drive-thru

  • Care for or support a friend or family member

  • Take a walk, ride your bike, hike, jog and be in nature for exercise – just keep at least six feet between you and others

  • Walk your pets and take them to veterinarian if necessary

  • Help someone to get necessary supplies

  • Receive deliveries from any business which delivers

Under this order, YOU SHOULD NOT:

  • Go to work unless you are providing essential services as defined by this Order

  • Visit friends and family if there is no urgent need

  • Maintain less than 6 feet of distance from others when you go out

  • Visit loved ones in the hospital, nursing home, skilled nursing facility or other residential care facility, except for limited exceptions as provided on the facility websites

  • Travel except for essential travel and activities

What is the difference between “Stay at Home” and “social distancing”?  

Stay at home is a stricter form of social distancing. Stay at home means:

  • Stay home (stay unexposed and do not expose others)

  • Only go out for essential services

  • Stay 6 feet or more away from others

  • Don’t gather in groups

For the full Proclamation, go to MeckNC.gov/COVID-19 . For further questions, call the Mecklenburg County Stay at Home help line at (704) 353-1926 . Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.  
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR TOWN SERVICES
All Town buildings are closed to the public, and Town operations related to Administration, Planning & Zoning, Finance, Human Resources, Public Works, and PARC will continue with reduced capacity.

If you have a need, please continue to reach out to the appropriate department for service. Contact information for each department can be found on our website or by calling 704.892.6031.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Our Police and Fire departments remain ready to serve our community and have implemented the recommended procedures and protocols to handle the COVID-19 crisis. If you have an emergency, please continue to call 911 .

TOWN MEETINGS, ACTIVITIES & EVENTS

  • All Town-sponsored programs, activities and events have been canceled through May 10, and all non-essential citizen board and committee meetings have been canceled until further notice.

  • Going forward, all Town Board of Commissioners meetings, including the annual budget workshop, will be held virtually. Additionally, the budget retreat has been rescheduled to three half-day sessions beginning Tuesday, March 31, through Thursday, April 2. A link to the session will be provided in a future public notice.

  • All Cornelius parks and greenways remain open; all who visit are encouraged to practice social distancing. For your protection, all playgrounds and restrooms are closed, and basketball courts are available for individual play only. Group games and activities are not allowed.

OTHER TOWN SERVICES

  • Garbage and recycle pick up will continue as normal; however, yard waste collection has been suspended by the Town's contractor, Republic Services.

  • Effective March 25, at 5:00 p.m., the Cornelius Animal Shelter will be closed to the public and are unable to accept donations during this order. Additionally:

  • Animal adoptions will be available by appointment only; visit our website for available adoptions and contact the shelter for more information.

  • If you have an animal to surrender, please contact the shelter first.

  • Animal Control staff will respond to priority calls only until the order is released.

  • As part of the order, business and residential construction projects are permitted to continue. As such, the Planning Department will be available virtually to review building permits, conduct plan reviews, and provide the necessary support to keep construction moving forward. 

For questions or more information about Town services during the Stay at Home Order, please send an email to TownofCornelius@Cornelius.org . Questions specific to the order should be directed to the Mecklenburg County help line: 704.353.1926.

Town of Cornelius Communications || Website || Email || 704.892.6031