October 2, 2020

Coronavirus Resources

COVID-19 is a national public health crisis affecting North Carolina and Charlotte. See below for information and ideas on how you can support the local community.

What You Need to Know

The Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA) has closed its venues, including the Charlotte Convention Center, NASCAR Hall of Fame, Bojangles' Entertainment Complex and Visitor Info Centers in the best interests of our employees and in compliance with national, state, and local orders and recommendations regarding mass gatherings, teleworking and social distancing.

The CRVA has an internal task force closely monitoring recommendations and actions coming from the local, state and federal levels regarding stay at home orders and possible return to workplace scenarios. Team members on this committee are leading the efforts in developing return-to-workplace protocols and safety guidelines to address operational processes and human contact health risk mitigations.

We are working diligently in partnership with others to support the local restaurants, shops, attractions and other hospitality-related businesses that are essential to the quality of life we all know and love in the Queen City.

N.C. Governor Roy Cooper announced another careful step forward, moving North Carolina Phase 3 of easing restrictions, beginning Oct. 3 at 5 p.m. through at least 5 p.m. on Oct. 23. North Carolinians continue to be required to wear face coverings in public (both indoor and outdoor), when physical distancing is not possible. Visit these links for more details about Executive Order 169 or to view a list of FAQs about Phase 3.

During this phase of reopening:

Restaurants may be open for on-premise dining at 50% capacity with six feet of distance between each group of customers.
Bars may operate outdoors at 30% capacity or 100 guests, whichever is less. Bars that do not have outdoor seating may use the guideline of seven people per 1,000 square feet.
Museums and aquariums may operate at 50% capacity.
Meeting spaces in hotels, conference centers, meeting halls, and reception venues may host receptions, meetings and other functions, subject to reduced capacity limits and other restrictions.
Music halls, night clubs, lounges, venues for live performances, arenas with spectators, and theaters where guests are seated may reopen subject to reduced capacity limits.
Mass gathering limits are 25 people indoors or 50 people outdoors.
Small outdoor venues like arenas or amphitheaters may open at 30% capacity or 100 guests, whichever is less.
Outdoor areas of amusement parks may reopen at 30% capacity.
Music halls, night clubs, lounges, venues for live performances, arenas with spectators, and theaters where guests are seated may reopen subject to reduced capacity limits.
Establishments that serve alcohol for on-site consumption must cease alcohol sales and service at 11 p.m. and may not resume them until 7 a.m. View Alcohol Sales & Services FAQs.

Overwhelming evidence shows that wearing a face covering can greatly reduce the spread of COVID-19, especially from people who have it and don’t know it yet. This is a simple way to control this virus while we protect ourselves and the people around us. Governor Cooper urged everyone to be a leader in wearing face coverings and encouraged businesses to be strong in enforcing it.

Who to Follow

In an effort to gather all the COVID-19 related information from a wide range of state agencies, North Carolina has launched a new COVID-19 web portal at nc.gov/covid19.

N.C. Division of Public Health (NCDPH) on Twitter
Mecklenburg County (NC) Public Health (MCPH) department’s webpage for updates
Sign up for CharMeck Alerts, the region’s emergency and non-emergency alert system
The City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County on Twitter

Additional Resources

Charlotte-Mecklenburg is coming together in a unified response to the COVID-19 Crisis under the leadership of the Department of Emergency Management. Those interested in volunteer opportunities can call the volunteer hotline at either (704) 432-4127 or (704) 432-4187. Learn more about volunteer and giving opportunities at https://charmeckresponds.org/.

Business Relief Efforts

Are you a hospitality business impacted by COVID-19? Here are some resources on how your businesses can find some relief with loans and other initiatives.

US Travel Association, CARES Act
NC Rapid Recovery Loans
U.S. Small Business Administration: Economic Injury Disaster Loan Assistance
North Carolina Business Relief Resources (via EDPNC)
SBA Loans
Starting from the Mecklenburg County’s deadline of March 20 for occupancy taxes, food and beverage taxes and car rental taxes, the county has granted a 60-day grace period. Check with Mecklenburg County Tax Collections office for additional details. The State of North Carolina has extended the same deadlines for sales tax payments as long as businesses file by April 15, 2020.

Hospitality Philanthropy Resources

Do you want to help the hospitality industry in Charlotte, but aren’t quite sure where to start? Below are resources on initiatives that are making a difference in the lives of workers who represent the city’s fourth largest industry.