The July 4th Celebration in Southport has been an iconic event for over 200 years. This year, due to the need for instituting public health mitigation measures for the protection of our city, our citizens, and our state, it is my recommendation during this COVID-19 Pandemic, that the Fourth of July Festival in 2020, this celebration of independence and freedom, be cancelled to assist in stopping the spread of this contagious disease.
As a result of the City of Southport’s recent announcement to cancel all summer events through Labor Day, Downtown Southport Inc. will be cancelling its Wednesday Summer Markets and the Southport Summer Concert Series that the organization co sponsors with the city and local businesses.
As many of you know the governor has issued a Stay-at-Home Order for North Carolina. Some of you have asked what does this mean for our area? We are here to break it down for you.
- Stay at home unless you have to leave for an essential activity. Essential activities include traveling for health and safety, obtaining necessary supplies or services, going outside for outdoor activity while staying 6 feet away from others and avoiding gatherings of 10 or more people.
- Essential workers may travel for work, included essential workers include health and human services, construction and maintenance crews, grocery stores, agriculture-based operations, food and beverage products that offer carry-out or delivery, and gas station workers. See the full list of essential workers here.
- Social Distancing orders still apply which means maintaining a 6-foot distance from others. Washing your hands as often as possible for at least 20 seconds with soap and water, and or using hand sanitizer. Clean high traffic surfaces often with a sanitizing product.
- Individual towns have also issued their own regulations to govern their ordinance’s needs.
- These implementations will be upheld until April 30, 2020.