More people allowed into restaurants, bars, other businesses under NC's latest pandemic rules

Cooper said the eased rules are possible because North Carolina's trend lines with the virus continue to improve.

The state has been at or below the 5 percent target for positive coronavirus tests for much of the past two weeks, although the rate was 6.3 percent Tuesday. The daily average of new infections remains below 2,000, and the number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 remains below 1,000.

Also, more people are vaccinated against the virus every day. Nearly 19 percent of North Carolina adults are fully immunized, while another 13 percent have received the first shot of a two-dose regimen.

"I'm pleased we're holding steady and our numbers remain stable," Cooper said during a news conference.

Under the new executive order, the following capacity limits have changed:

In addition, Cooper's new order doubles the limits on large gatherings, to 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors. The indoor gather limit had been 10 people up until a month ago.

In all cases, Cooper said, businesses will be required to maintain at least 6 feet of distance between customers, meaning that some businesses might not be able to reach the new capacity limits.

"These are significant changes, but they can be done safely," Cooper said. "But I emphasize this: This pandemic is not over yet. We're only able to keep this virus in check while we ease restrictions if people act responsibly and follow safety protocols."

To that end, the statewide mask mandate will remain in place under the new order.

Parker Kennedy, who owns Cafe Luna in downtown Raleigh, reconfigured one of his dining rooms under the new guidelines and said he could fit 30 people inside.

"Everything is 6 feet apart," Kennedy said. "The situation keeps improving every day."

Hatem said the changes will ripple out from more customers, noting that he is searching for more employees to help serve them. His staff is now at about 60 percent of what it was before the pandemic.

“It’s great because people want to get back out, people want to enjoy life, people want to have a good time," a Raleigh resident who identified himself only as "Clifton" said.

The Carolina Hurricanes immediately made more tickets available for Saturday's game against Tampa Bay, and tickets for upcoming games at PNC Arena in Raleigh will go on sale next week.

"We've seen, heard and felt the impact that our Caniacs have had since we reopened our doors earlier this month. We continue to be interested in increasing capacity and will do so safely," Hurricanes President and General Manager Don Waddell tweeted.

But Heather Strickland, executive director of Raleigh Little Theater, said there is still a lot of planning to do to ensure the safety of theatergoers before she sells more tickets.

Zack Medford, president of the North Carolina Bar and Tavern Association, tempered his excitement over the increased capacity limit and the end of the 11 p.m. alcohol sales curfew with continued criticism over how state regulations have come down harder on bars during the pandemic.

"Operating any business at drastically limited capacity and hours is an immense task, even more so when your business was forced closed for over 11 months. We are so excited to see a return to normalcy," Medford said in a statement. "Bars are still unfairly facing stricter limitations than restaurant bars, hotel bars and strip club bars, but being able to serve until 2 a.m. is a game changer."

Dr. Mandy Cohen, secretary of the state Department of Health and Human Services, said bars remain a higher-risk site for virus transmission, which is why limits there have been stricter than for restaurants. People are without masks for longer periods and get loud, boisterous and less inhibited while drinking, she said.

Darren Bridger, co-owner of London Bridge Pub in downtown Raleigh, said his staff is ready to welcome more customers and to keep serving drinks until 2 a.m.

"It will help, of course, but nothing is going to make up for the loss of income in the last year," Bridger said, noting the state pushing last call back from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. last month increased business by 50 percent.

"If we can get that jump again, going to 2 a.m., then we would be pretty comfortable putting it all behind us and use this as our starting point," he said. "There’s plenty of people that are saying they’re just ready for it to be over [and] let’s just go forward, but I think it’s prudent to continue with the 50 percent capacity at least until we know what the 2 a.m. impact is."

Dr. David Wohil, an infectious disease expert at UNC Health, agreed that it's too early to open everything back up.

“I will not be going to restaurants any time soon. I will not be going to live performances," Wohl said. "We are not out of the woods – we are far from out of the woods – and we could see a resurgence like we’re seeing in Europe.”