GASTON COUNTY, N.C. — Gaston County leadership Thursday issued a “stay at home” order for county residents to take effect Friday at 5 p.m.
Gaston County’s order is modeled around Mecklenburg and Cabarrus counties.
[What does Mecklenburg County’s ‘stay at home’ order mean for you?]
Cases of COVID-19 in the county increased from five to 11 in the past 24 hours. The order reduces the size of gatherings from no more than 50 to no more than 10.
The order will remain in place until April 16 but can be extended as conditions warrant.
[SPECIAL SECTION: TRACKING CORONAVIRUS]
“We have experienced signs of community spread,” Chairman Tracy Philbeck said. “It is clear to me that we have to be swift and act as local government to do what we can do to make sure that this virus does not spread beyond what is manageable.”
Gaston County’s order is similar to those adopted this week in Mecklenburg and Cabarrus counties but differs in that it is slightly less restrictive on the manufacturing industry.
The county is setting up a hotline that businesses and citizens can call if they have questions about the order. They can call the ‘Stay-At-Home’ Community Hotline between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday at 704-866-3170. This hotline is separate from the Coronavirus Information Line that is already in place. Citizens with questions about the virus or health-related questions, can call 704-862-5303.
Gaston County Government employees will institute its remote-working plan beginning Monday utilizing key personnel. Gaston County will continue to serve its citizens as it is doing now, but through online and telephonic services.
Non-essential employees will be paid through administrative leave for up to seven weeks.
“We should be calm,” Philbeck said. “We should be smart, and we should consider others at this time.”
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