Burlington Reporter

Alamance County expanded its state-of-emergency order to ban for-profit racetracks from operating while North Carolina remains under a stay-at-home directive until at least April 30. 

The updated Alamance County policy was announced on March 29 and started the next day, according to the county website. County lawmakers said the amended order reflects Gov. Roy Cooper's requirements under the stay-at-home directive. 

The amended order is one of the latest efforts county leaders have taken to do their part to slow the spread of COVID-19. The county declared its initial state of emergency on March 20 after recording its first COVID-19 case. Since that first case, the state Department of Health and Human Services reported 29 positive COVID-19 tests in Alamance County as of April 9. 

That initial declaration, for Alamance County, was put in place in part to make it possible for lawmakers to request emergency supplies as well as coordinating with and receiving mutual aid from federal and state authorities.

The move also allowed the county to move up the list for priority of receiving supplies such as face masks, gloves and hand sanitizer, The Times-News reported on March 20.

Initially, county offices remained open, with residents asked to mainly conduct business with the county electronically or over the phone, The Times-News reported. However, most county services have now limited activities that involve direct contact between individuals.

This has included the cancelation of meetings through April for government bodies around the county, including the planning department, soil and water and town council meetings, according to the county's COVID-19 website.

Veteran Services have suspended walk-ins and scheduled appointments and all libraries have been closed.

The county landfill remains open, but the April household hazardous waste collection has been canceled.

The County Department of Social Services has ceased all face-to-face interactions with the public but continues to conduct business by phone, email and postal mail. Applications for benefit programs including Food and Nutrition, Medicaid and Work First Benefits can also be completed at www.ePass.nc.gov.

As is the case across the nation, Alamance-Burlington Schools are closed, and will not reopen before May 15, but meals for students and electronic learning solutions continue.

Some entities, such as the planning department, continue to have office hours with limited staffing. However, residents are encouraged to conduct all business possible with the county either by phone or electronically.

Updated information about county services and closings can be found at alamance-nc.com/covid19.