Gov. Roy Cooper on Tuesday extended the COVID-19 eviction moratorium through June 30. The move came as President Joe Biden signed a similar executive order on the national level. Cooper also signed an executive order expediting COVID-19 related unemployment claims, and authorized to-go and delivery of alcoholic drinks from restaurants and bars through April 30.
“Even though North Carolina is turning the corner on this pandemic, many are still struggling,” said Cooper said in a press release. “These Executive Orders will help families stay in their homes and help hard-hit businesses increase their revenue.”
Executive Order 206 extends North Carolina’s statewide residential eviction moratorium through June 30, in coordination with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s recent extension of the nationwide moratorium. Executive Order 207 is supposed to speed up the processing of unemployment insurance claims, and is also effective through June 30.
Executive Order 205 extends the North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission (ABC Commission)’s authorization to permit the delivery or carry-out of mixed beverages as an alternative to on-site consumption through April 30.
State and federal officials levied the eviction moratorium to prevent families from crowding homeless shelters during the pandemic. The moratorium halts evictions for nonpayment of rent and sets forth procedures for landlords and their tenants who may qualify for protection from eviction.
To ease some of the financial problems, the HOPE Program was established to make direct payments to landlords and keep people safely in their homes. HOPE has awarded over $140 million to nearly 37,000 applicants. North Carolina received more than $700 million to continue providing rental assistance.
Under Executive Order 205, establishments holding certain permits from the ABC Commission, including restaurants, hotels, private clubs, private bars, and some distilleries, will continue to be allowed to sell mixed beverages to-go or for delivery.
