More people going out as COVID-19 numbers drop, vaccinations increase

On Glenwood Avenue, people told WRAL News that they are taking full advantage of the eased restrictions and nicer weather, adding that as more people get vaccinated it makes them feel better.

"My job has been fully remote since March of last year so it's been kind of playing it by ear and seeing what feels safe [and] basing it on the risk," said Jake Wilfer, who is visiting Raleigh form West Virginia. "As more people are getting vaccinated, it seems less risky."

Across the country, more than 100 million vaccines have been administered. In North Carolina, more than 7 percent of people have had one of their two doses for the Pfizer and Morderna COVID-19 vaccines. 11.5 percent of North Carolinians are fully vaccinated, and across the country about 10.5 percent of people are fully vaccinated.

As more in NC vaccinated, fewer being tested for coronavirus

Those numbers make Miranda Godfrey, who is visiting from West Virginia, feel at ease.

"It definitely feels better that more people have been vaccinated and everything is opening back up. It feels more safe," she said.

"I feel more comfortable dining in because people have been vaccinated," said Raleigh resident Jennifer Onukwugha.

Others said they're remaining cautious until those percentages increase.

"When I have been inside restaurants, I still feel really close to people. It's really uncomfortable sometimes," said Raleigh resident Mimi Kirkland.

On Wednesday, Cooper announced Group 4 of the state's vaccine rollout plan was moving up. According to state health officials, that means four million people will become eligible for the vaccine next week.