Orange County has modified its emergency declaration to adopt the state’s prohibitions on outdoor gatherings as outlined in Executive Order No. 141 issued by Governor Roy Cooper.
Under the terms of EO 141, "Mass Gathering" means an event or convening that brings together more than 10 people indoors or more than 25 people outdoors “at the same time in a single confined indoor or outdoor space, such as an auditorium, stadium, arena, or meeting hall. This includes parades, fairs, and festivals. In publicly accessible indoor facilities, the Mass Gathering limit applies per room of the facility.”
A household where more than 10 people reside is not a Mass Gathering. The outdoor Mass Gathering limit of 25 people applies to groups of people that may gather together in a park and on a beach or trail.
According to the EO, worship, religious and spiritual gatherings, funeral ceremonies, wedding ceremonies, and other activities constituting the exercise of First Amendment rights are exempt.
The amendment goes into effect on Friday, July 17, at 5 p.m. The Orange County emergency declaration is in effect through Aug. 31.