Stay at Home FAQ – Town of Kernersville

What does this “Stay at Home” order mean?

It means that movement is restricted for all Town of Kernersville residents. They should stay at their place of residence except that they may leave to provide or receive essential services or engage in essential activities and work for essential businesses and government services.

It restricts travel upon public streets, alleys, or roadways or other property except by those in need of medical assistance, food or other commodity or service necessary to sustain the well-being of themselves or their families or some member thereof.

The Forsyth County Order, which is has been adopted by the Town of Kernersville, adopts the Forsyth County Amended Declaration of a State of Emergency as of April 14, 2020.

Forsyth County Amended Declaration of a State of Emergency is available here:

Forsyth County Amended Declaration of a State of Emergency

What is the purpose/goal of the Governor’s Order?

To ensure the maximum number of people self-isolate in their places of residence to the maximum extent feasible, while enabling essential services to continue to slow the spread of COVID-19 to the maximum extent possible.

How does this order impact mass gatherings?

All mass gatherings of more than 10 people are prohibited.

What is and not allowed under this order?

You can

Go to the grocery, convenience or warehouse store
Go to the pharmacy to pick up medications and other healthcare necessities
Visit a health care professional for medical services that cannot be provided virtually (call first)
Go to a restaurant for take-out, delivery or drive-thru
Care for or support a friend or family member
Take a walk, ride your bike, hike, jog, or golf and be in nature for exercise – just keep at least six feet between you and others
Go to parks and open, outdoor recreation areas
Walk your pets and take them to veterinarian if necessary
Help someone to get necessary supplies
Receive deliveries from any business which delivers
Go to a bank, financial institution, or the post office
Go to or from essential businesses to work or to obtain services

You Should Not

Go to work unless you are providing essential services as defined by this Order
Visit friends and family if there is no urgent need
Maintain less than 6 feet of distance from others when you go out
Visit loved ones in the hospital, nursing home, skilled nursing facility or other residential care facility, except for limited exceptions as provided on the facility websites
Travel except for essential travel and activities

What is the difference between “Stay at Home” and “social distancing”?

Stay at home is a stricter form of social distancing. Stay at home means:

Stay home (stay unexposed and do not expose others)
Only go out for essential services as defined below
Stay 6 feet or more away from others
Don’t gather in groups

When will the Governor’s Order be lifted?

The order is valid through April 29, 2020 but will be regularly reviewed and evaluated and may be revised, amended or extended accordingly.

What Activities are considered essential / permitted?

Activities For health and safety
Going out for necessary supplies and services
Individual outdoor activities (walking, hiking, golfing, running, cycling, using greenways)
Going to work for essential businesses/operations
Activities to take care of others

Which businesses and types of work are considered essential?

Healthcare, public health, law enforcement, public safety and first responders
Food, beverages, and agriculture (manufacturing, production, processing, cultivation including farming, livestock, fishing, baking, distribution of animals and good for consumption, providing food, shelter, and other necessities for animals)
Stores that sell groceries and medicine
Organizations that provide charitable and social services (businesses and religious and secular nonprofit organizations including food banks, when providing food and shelter, social services, and other necessities for life for economically disadvantaged or needy individuals, individuals who need assistance, and people with disabilities).
Energy
Water and wastewater
Transportation and logistics
Public works
Communication and information technology
Media
Gas stations and businesses needed for transportation (gas stations and auto-supply, auto-repair, and related facilities and bicycle shops and related facilities)
Financial institutions (banks, currency exchange, consumer lenders, including but not limited, to payday lenders, pawnbrokers, consumer installment lenders and sales finance lenders, credit unions, appraisers, title companies, financial markets, trading and future exchanges, affiliates of financial institutions, entities that issue bonds, related financial institutions, and institutions selling financial products)
Hardware and supply stores
Critical trades (building and construction tradesmen and tradeswomen – plumbers, electricians, exterminators, cleaning and janitorial staff for commercial and governmental properties, security staff, operating engineers, HVAC, painting, moving and relocation services, and other service providers who provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences, essential activities, and essential businesses)
Mail, post, shipping, logistics, delivery, and pick-up services (post offices and other businesses that provide shipping and delivery services, businesses that ship or deliver groceries, food, goods or services to end users or through commercial channels)
Laundry services
Restaurants for consumption off-premises (in-house delivery, third-party deliver, drive-through, curbside pick-up, and carry-out)
Supplies to work from home
Supplies for essential businesses and operations
Transportation (airlines, taxis, public transportation, vehicle rental, logistics)
Home-based care and services (home-based care for adults, seniors, children, people with disabilities)
Residential facilities and shelters
Professional services (legal, accounting, insurance, real estate, restricted to appraisal and title services)
Childcare centers (for specific employees – first responders, healthcare workers, public health, etc)
Manufacture, distribution, and supply chain
Hotels and motels
Funeral services
Other community-based government operations and essential functions including human services
Other community-based human service operations
Critical manufacturing
Hazardous materials

What are minimum basic operations?

The minimum necessary activities to maintain the value of the businesses’ inventory, preserve the condition of the business’s physical plant and equipment, ensure security, process payroll and employee benefits, or for related functions. The minimum necessary activities to facilitate the employees of the business being able to continue to work remotely from their residences.

Am I allowed to travel?

You are allowed to travel for purposes of essential business and essential activities

What is considered essential travel?

Any travel related to the provision of or access to essential activities, essential governmental functions, essential businesses and operations, or minimum basic operations
Travel to care for elderly, minors, dependents, persons with disabilities, or other vulnerable persons
Travel to or from education institutions for purposes of receiving materials for distance learning, for receiving meals, and other related services
Travel to return to a place of residence from outside the jurisdiction
Travel required by law enforcement or court order, including to transport children pursuant to a custody agreement

Is a permit or documentation required for me to travel for essential services?

No – There is not a permit or any form of documentation required.

Does this order enact a curfew?

No – A curfew is not being enacted at this time.

Am I allowed to go outside to exercise?

Yes – but maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet from all others.

What are the requirements for social distancing?

Required measures include:

Designate 6 foot distances
Hand sanitizer and sanitizing products
Separate operating hours for vulnerable populations
Online and remote access

Can I get arrested for violating this order?

KPD will enforce the order through education, dialogue, and seeking voluntary cooperation from all residents and businesses. If voluntary cooperation is not achieved KPD is equipped to enforce these restrictions through citations.

Does this order apply to the homeless?

No – homeless are exempt from this restriction but are urged to find shelter.

What does this mean for non-essential businesses?

Non-essential business and operations must cease – all businesses and operations in the Town of Kernersville except Essential Businesses and Operations are to cease all activities within the Town of Kernersville except minimum basic operations. Businesses may continue operations consisting exclusively of employees or contractors performing activities at their own residences (i.e., working from home).

The Order says I am allowed to go outside – can I take my children to amusement parks/amusement centers?

No. All places of public amusement where people may gather, whether indoors or outdoors, including but not limited to, locations with amusement rides, carnivals, amusement parks, water parks, aquariums, zoos, museums, arcades, fairs, children’s play centers, playgrounds, recreation centers, funplexes, theme parks, bowling alleys, movie and other theaters, concert and music halls, and country clubs or social clubs shall be closed to the public.

Can I visit a loved one in a hospital/nursing home/etc?

Owners, administrators, operators, staff, contractors, and volunteers of nursing homes, long term care and assisted living facilities are prohibited from allowing a person to enter the facility and visit a resident unless each of the following criteria are met: (1) the visitor is an adult; (2) the resident has not already had a visitor that day; and (3) the visit takes place in the resident’s room. This prohibition does not apply to end of life situations.