What’s Open Now in Charlotte During Phase 2.5
Here's everything you need to know as Charlotte and the rest of North Carolina enters Phase 2.5.
by Ashley Rossi Sep 03, 2020
As the summer winds down, Governor Roy Cooper announced that North Carolina is able to continue progress in reopening the state’s businesses. On Friday, September 4 at 5 p.m. through at least October 2, North Carolina entered an in-between stage, Phase 2.5, of its reopening phases.
Phase 2.5 brings new business openings and some lifted restrictions. Here’s what you need to know:
- Gyms and other fitness facilities (i.e. go-karts, boxing gyms, yoga studios, laser tag establishments, climbing gyms, skating rinks) can now open at 30 percent capacity and must follow certain safety protocols.
- Museums and aquariums may now reopen at 50 percent capacity.
- Playgrounds are allowed to open.
Nothing changes with regulations around restaurants, retail shops, salons and other establishments that were allowed to reopen in previous phases. All of the respective capacity restrictions still remain in place. And, of course, you can still continue to support your favorite restaurants while social distancing. For a full list of locations participating in curbside pickup, takeout and/or delivery, visit our Pitch In. Take Out. page.
Another update with Phase 2.5 is that gatherings of groups of 50 outdoors and groups of up to 25 people indoors (which is an increase from 10) are now allowed. Large venues are required to follow these gathering restrictions.
Under this new phase, bars, nightclubs, movie theaters, indoor entertainment establishments, and amusement parks remain closed. The 11 p.m. curfew on alcohol sales has also been extended to October 2.
As Charlotte begins to reopen even further, it’s still just as important to continue to follow social distancing measures and practice the “Ws”:
- ●Wear a mask covering your face (mask mandates are still in effect).
- Wait six feet apart and avoid close contact.
- Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds as often as possible.
For a list of health and safety measures, visit our COVID-19 Resources page.
Here are a few new ways to explore Charlotte and support local businesses in this next phase of reopening.
Gyms and Fitness Facilities
Many local businesses and gyms will post updates on their social media channels with specific details and reopening dates, so make sure to check in before heading out to your next sweat session.
Check out some of the city’s local gyms and studios that are ready to reopen for indoor activities.
Inner Peaks Climbing
Neighborhood: South End & Matthews
Head to the indoor climbing gym at Inner Peaks Climbing. Take your pick of the two locations and book a timed reservation for some social-distanced fun.
YMCA of Greater Charlotte
Neighborhood: Uptown & Matthews
Charlotte’s two YMCA locations will resume indoor fitness classes in addition to their current outdoor offerings like camps, pools and group fitness classes.
Arrichion CLT
Neighborhood: South End & Matthews
While the hot yoga and HIIT studio started to offer outdoor classes at the South End location, you’ll now be able to work out indoors.
Cyclebar
Neighborhood: Midtown & Matthews
Take a spin class and then grab some brunch. Both Cyclebar locations are resuming indoor classes with rigorous cleaning and other germ-spreading prevention measures.
And for those who prefer to still sweat at home, many local gyms and studios have pivoted to offering virtual classes, so if you prefer to workout at home, check with your favorite studio to see how these programs will continue.
Museums
It’s hard to believe Charlotte’s museums have been closed since mid-March, but your next trip to one will probably be your favorite. Thanks to capacity restrictions, museums will be much less crowded. Take a look at the city’s cultural establishments that are now reopening.
The Bechtler Museum of Modern Arts
This modern art museum plans to re-open on Friday, September 25 with free admission for opening weekend and a new exhibit on the following weekend, 1 Cent Life. The modern art museum Bank of America's #MuseumsOnUs program where the first weekend of every month is free for cardholders.
The Mint Museum
Neighborhood: Uptown & Cotswold
The state’s first art museum plans to reopen to the public on September 25, with free admission all weekend to celebrate. Safety precautions include mandatory masks and timed ticketing.
NASCAR Hall of Fame
Neighborhood: Uptown
The NASCAR Hall of Fame will reopen to the general public on Sept. 16 with reduced capacity and enhanced health and safety measures in place. A few safety precautions include required face masks or coverings for all guests; a complimentary stylus to accommodate no-touch interactions with touch-screen exhibits and electrostatic/disinfectant sprayers will be used in high-touch areas. Operating hours will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Monday, with Tuesdays reserved for private groups and special events (Hot Pass Tuesdays).
Keep an eye out for reopening details from the Discovery Place Science social media channels, which are expected to be announced soon.
Phase 2.5 will be in effect until at least Friday, October 2 at 5 p.m. with the possibility of extension depending on how the next few weeks transpire. A move to Phase Three means that bars, nightclubs and indoor entertainment facilities may reopen with the potential to increase the capacity allowed at businesses, as well as the number of people allowed at gatherings.
With fall’s milder weather on the horizon, you can continue to enjoy being outside at your favorite restaurants and breweries. But now you can also go on a date-night at a museum or catch up with friends at a hot yoga class. Just don’t forget your mask.
