Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information: 

COVID-19 Guidance for Food Establishments

COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions for Food Service Establishments

NC DHHS COVID-19 Guidance

NC DHHS Cleaning and Disinfecting Solutions and Procedures to control COVID-19 in Schools, Child Care Centers, and other Community, Non-Healthcare Facilities

Executive Order 118  Limiting operations of restaurants and bars and broadening unemployment insurance benefits in response to COVID-19 - March 17, 2020

Executive Order 120  Additional Limitations on Mass Gatherings, Restrictions on Venues and Long Term Care Facilities and Extension of School Closure Date - March 23, 2020

Executive Order 121 Stay at Home Order and Strategic Directions for North Carolina in Response to Increasing COVID-19 Cases

FREE ONLINE COURSES AND RESOURCES FOR RESTAURANT AND FOODSERVICE WORKERS NOW THROUGH APRIL 30, 2020 - Includes ServSafe Food Handler and two free training videos that address COVID-19 precautions for takeout and delivery

StateFoodSafety has launched  A FREE ONLINE TRAINING COURSE to instruct charitable feeding and disaster relief volunteers in vital food safety principles. This is a 22-minute tutorial  that can be used to train volunteers on how to safely serve food in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Limiting Operations of Restaurants and Bars

In response to the COVID-19 global pandemic and the increasing number of cases in North Carolina, Governor Roy Cooper issued Executive Order No. 118 which limits the sale of food and beverages and NC DHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen issued an Order of Abatement of Imminent Hazard closing bars and seating areas of restaurants. You can view the  Executive Order 118 and  The Order of Abatement by clicking on their links. 

With respect to the question about outdoor seating: The intent of Executive Order 118 is to limit the congregation of individuals by prohibiting sit-down service in restaurants.  Congregation is strongly discouraged to limit the spread of COVID-19. Restaurants are allowed to provide carryout, drive-through and delivery options. Restaurant staff are not permitted to serve patrons indoors or in the outdoor seating area. If a restaurant has outdoor seating, onsite consumption in the outdoor seating area is not permitted pursuant to the Order of Abatement.  Local law enforcement agencies and district attorneys are generally responsible for enforcement of the Order provisions. Law enforcement officers are authorized to enforce the Order pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 166A-19.30(a)(2) and violations are punishable as a Class 2 misdemeanor in accordance with N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-288.20A.  

In addition, pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 130A-18 and 130A-25, failure to comply with the imminent hazard abatement order issued by the Secretary of the NC Department of Health and Human Services may result in injunctive relief or prosecution for a misdemeanor offense.