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Berger Paints Q2 profit surges 67% to Rs 195 crore

Revenue from operations (excluding GST) in the said quarter stood at Rs 1,598.58 crore.




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We are aiming for Rs 3,000 crore in five years: MD Indigo Paints

From Rs 12 crore in FY09, the Pune-headquartered company, which is gunning for an IPO, closed FY19 with revenue of Rs 600 crore. Here Jalan talks to TOI about his plans for the company.




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Asian Paints Q3 results: Profit grows 20% to Rs 764 crore, meets Street estimates

Asian Paints' revenue from operations rose 3% to Rs 5,420.28 crore from Rs 5,263.04 crore.




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Asian Paints announces Rs 35 crores contribution to combat Coronavirus outbreak

“As a socially responsible company, Asian Paints is committed to providing necessary support towards various relief measures announced by the government to combat Covid-19” said K.B.S. Anand, Managing Director & CEO, Asian Paints Limited.




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Asian Paints partially resumes operations at some facilities

On March 23, the company had informed bourses about disruption of operations across the country on account of COVID -19 pandemic.




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Landmark Group introduces Cash-and-Carry furniture to spur growth

The home furnishing chain, which currently has 50 stores in 27 cities, also cited longer replacement cycles as reason for low sale of durable big-sized furniture such as three and five-seater sofa sets.




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IKEA in UAE recalls 'Made in India' travel mugs that may contain harmful chemicals

"To ensure the safety of our customers, we are recalling all TROLIGTVIS travel mugs marked "Made in India". We urge customers to return the product to any of our stores for a full refund. We apologise for any inconvenience this recall may cause," the world's largest furniture retailer said.




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Ikea recalls 'Made in India' mugs due to excessive chemicals

“There are no medical issues and this is purely a proactive initiative keeping the safety of our customers in mind,” the Swedish furniture and home products retailer said on its website, urging consumers to stop using the Troligtvis-branded travel mugs immediately.




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Ikea may entice with malls next to its big stores

Ikea is exploring possibilities of building shopping malls and entertainment facilities next to some of its upcoming standalone stores, or developing multi-storey shopping centres with Ikea as an anchor store, depending on land availability, they said. The company will lease out mall space to other brands and retailers.




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Ikea all set to lock horns with Google & Amazon, partners with Swedish firm to break into audio device market

Home audio is not the only segment that the two firms are targeting. Other products in the range include lights, crockery, furniture, and other knick-knacks like a reflective raincoat and a cajón. Some of the devices like the speakers and smart lighting bulbs can be connected together.




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More custom duty from furniture to kitchenware: Multiple duties singe Ikea

Budget raised custom duties on wooden furniture, tableware etc. Ikea imports about 75% of its products.




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Duty hike on furniture may not hurt you

Imported furniture items account for only 15-20% of all furniture that are being sold online in India at present, according to industry estimates. The majority, including bigticket wooden items such as beds and sofas are being manufactured within the country.




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IKEA new CEO targets 'even more affordable' furniture as habits shift

"I think we could broaden the product range a bit in our lower price range," Abrahamsson Ring said, adding that new materials, production techniques and distribution methods would help make IKEA "even more affordable".




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Online furniture seller Wayfair cuts 550 jobs, 3% of workers

Most of the layoffs are at its Boston headquarters and its European office in Berlin. The company has about 17,000 employees worldwide.




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IKEA reduces climate footprint for the first time

From the production of raw materials and products through to customers' use and disposal, emissions shrank 4.3% in the fiscal year to the end of August 2019 to 24.9 million tonnes CO2 equivalents, it said.




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Ikea not to pass on duty hike impact on imported furniture to customers

In the Union Budget 2020 announced on February 1, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced to increase customs duty on imported furniture from the present 20 per cent to 25 per cent. The move was aimed to protect the interest of the MSME segment. Ikea opened its first store in the country in Hyderabad in August 2018.




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WoodenStreet to invest Rs 15 cr to expand in South India

With already three stores in Bengaluru and one in Chennai, the company now plans to open two new stores in Hyderabad with an investment of Rs 5 crore, it said. In the next 12 to 18 months, WoodenStreet further plans to open 4 additional stores in South India, along with a third store in Hyderabad.




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Pepperfry to aggressively add local furniture players now to expand supply

The Mumbai-based startup is currently in talks with local furniture players in the country. It is looking to add 8-10 new partners every month and take the count to a total of 150-180 suppliers by the end of 2020.




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Swedish IKEA store finds 50,000 forgotten face masks, gives them to local hospital

Johan Andersson, the store's logistics boss whose team found them, had just read that hospitals were suffering from a shortage of masks amid the coronavirus outbreak so he rang up Sahlgrenska University Hospital - Sweden's biggest - in Gothenburg and asked if they were interested.




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Godrej Interio launches e-commerce operation to strengthen reach

According to the company, the online presence will further strengthen the brand’s reach by covering 2,000+ pin codes. Basis the demand and sales, Godrej Interio also plans to introduce selected online-only models to cater to a larger section of customers who love purchasing online.




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IKEA says visitors returning fast to reopened shopping centres in China and Germany

A majority of IKEA stores are or have been temporarily closed in recent months. A few stores in Germany and Israel, as well as the one in Wuhan, the city in China where the coronavirus was first discovered, reopened this week.




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Take Note: Cariol Horne And Damon Jones On The Need To Reform Against Police Brutality

Veteran law enforcement officers Damon K. Jones and Cariol Horne are speaking out against police brutality and calling for reform. They talked with WPSU about the challenges they have faced as minorities in the police force, their thoughts about the Black Lives Matter movement and why change is necessary. Transcript: Cheraine Stanford: Welcome to take note on WPSU. I'm Cheraine Stanford. We're joined today by two activists advocating for law enforcement reform. Cariol Horne was a police officer in Buffalo, New York, for nearly two decades. When she was fired after she says she was assaulted by a fellow officer while attempting to stop him from choking a handcuffed man. Damon K. Jones has worked in the West Chester Department of Corrections for 28 years. He represents the state of New York in the organization, Blacks in Law Enforcement of America. The two came to Penn State as part of a panel called “Black lives inside of blue lives” to discuss the question: What happens when Black




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Take Note: Author Brian Wray Talks About Children's Mental and Emotional Health

Brian Wray is an award-winning children’s book author for his book “Unraveling Rose” about a toy bunny rabbit with OCD. His latest book, “Max’s Box,” talks about what happens when negative emotions are suppressed. Both of his picture books focus on children’s mental and emotional health. TRANSCRIPT: Kirsten Tekavec: Welcome to Take Note on WPSU, I'm Kirsten Tekavec. Brian Wray is a children's book author and the 2017 Gold Winner of the Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Award for his book "Unraveling Rose." His latest book, Max's Box," talks about what happens when negative emotions are suppressed. Both of his picture books focus on children's mental and emotional health. He is a Penn State graduate and currently lives in Brooklyn. Brian Wray, thank you for joining us. Brian Wray: Thank you for having me. Tekavec: Before we begin discussing your work, can you tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got into writing children's books? Wray: I have been writing stories for as long




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Take Note: Maxwell King Talks About His Book "The Good Neighbor: The Life and Work of Fred Rogers"

Maxwell King is the best-selling author of "The Good Neighbor: The Life and Work of Fred Rogers." King talks about why he wrote the book and gives insight into the life of Mister Rogers, the unfailingly kind, compassionate namesake neighbor of the beloved "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood." To learn more about Rogers' legacy visit the Fred Rogers Center and Fred Rogers Productions . TRANSCRIPT: Carolyn Donaldson: Welcome to Take Note on WPSU, I'm Carolyn Donaldson. Today, we're joined by Maxwell King, recently retired president of the Pittsburgh Foundation, former president of the Heinz Endowment, and former editor of the Philadelphia Inquirer. But now in today's context, a best selling author. In his book, "The Good Neighbor: The Life and Works of Fred Rogers," King's written a personal and professional biography of Fred Rogers, the unfailingly kind, compassionate namesake neighbor of the beloved Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. Thanks for joining us today, Maxwell. Maxwell King: Good to be




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Take Note: A Penn State Laureate On Art And Mental Health

Bill Doan is a professor of theatre at Penn State. The university selected Doan to be the 2019-20 Penn State Laureate, a role that spotlights the arts and humanities. For Doan, that means performances, drawings and talks focused on anxiety and depression and how art, science and health can work together. WPSU's Anne Danahy spoke with Doan about his work and his own struggles with anxiety, depression and loss.




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Take Note: PSU Professors On "More Rivers To Cross" Report, Which Outlines Shortage Of Black Faculty

A new report titled "More Rivers to Cross: A Report on the Status of African American Professors at Penn State University" finds that there's a shortage of black faculty at the university and offers some reasons for why that is. Penn State professor Dr. Gary King, and associate professor Dr. Darryl Thomas prepared the report with the input of other black faculty. Dr. King teaches in the College of Health and Human Development, and Dr. Thomas teaches African American Studies. We talked with them both about this report, which you can read below. "More Rivers to Cross:... by Emily Reddy on Scribd TRANSCRIPT: Emily Reddy: Welcome to Take Note on WPSU, I'm Emily Reddy. A new report titled "More Rivers to Cross: A Report on the Status of African American Professors at Penn State University" finds that there's a shortage of black faculty at the university and offers some reasons for why that is. Penn State professor Dr. Gary King, and associate professor Dr. Darryl Thomas prepared the report




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Take Note: Author Explores Impact Of Climate Change Through Rising Waters, Vanishing Neighborhoods

In her book, “Rising: Dispatches from the New American Shore,” Elizabeth Rush takes readers around the country to see rising tides . Rush talks with people around the country who have lost their homes and communities; with scientists who study what’s happening; and with conservationists trying to find ways to restore wetlands. Rush’s book was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. WPSU's Anne Danahy spoke with Rush, who will be in State College March 23 to give a talk at 7 p.m. at Schlow Library to celebrate Earth Day.




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WPSU's Story Corps Lock Haven: John Ford & Joseph Isidore

WPSU is traveling to towns across central and northern Pennsylvania to collect oral history recordings. In Lock Haven we paired with a college journalism class and had students find someone interesting to interview. Joseph Isidore talks to fellow Lock Haven University student John Ford about playing on the university football team and about his mom’s recent medical issues.




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WPSU's Story Corps Lock Haven: Lynette Reitz & Sara Aderhold

WPSU is traveling to towns across central and northern Pennsylvania to collect oral history recordings. Lock Haven University student Sara Aderhold talked with social work professor Lynette Reitz.




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WPSU's Story Corps Vietnam: Brent and David Pasquinelli

As a part of WPSU’s radio, TV and web project “The Vietnam War: Telling the Pennsylvania Story,” we’re bringing you oral history interviews with Vietnam veterans. David Pasquinelli talked with his father, Brent Pasquinelli, about his military service in Vietnam. The WPSU-TV documentary “A Time to Heal” on the Vietnam War experience from a Pennsylvania perspective premieres Sept. 14 at 8 p.m. The documentary “The Vietnam War” by Ken Burns premieres Sunday, Sept. 17, at 8 p.m. Save Save




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WPSU's Story Corps Vietnam: John MacMillen and Fred Brown

As a part of WPSU’s radio, TV and web project “The Vietnam War: Telling the Pennsylvania Story,” we’re bringing you oral history interviews with Vietnam veterans. John MacMillen told Fred Brown about his time in the Airforce in Vietnam.




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WPSU's Story Corps Vietnam: Fred Brown and John MacMillen

As a part of WPSU’s radio, TV and web project “The Vietnam War: Telling the Pennsylvania Story,” we’re bringing you oral history interviews with Vietnam veterans. John MacMillen talked with Fred Brown about his time in the Vietnam War.




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Two ENC Counties Report COVID-19 Deaths

Two counties in Eastern North Carolina are reporting COVID-19 related deaths. Craven County Health officials say an individual who tested positive for coronavirus a week ago died at CarolinaEast Medical Center on Thursday. Another person in Carteret County died from complications associated with COVID-19 today. The individual was in their late 60’s and had several underlying health conditions. There are 22 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Carteret County and 32 positive cases in Craven County.




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North Carolina Governor: More COVID-19 Test Supplies Needed

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper responded to President Donald Trump’s plan to reopen the economy by stressing that the state needs the federal government’s help supplying medical professionals to ramp up COVID-19 testing. The state government also said Friday that it was tripling the staff handling unemployment claims as the state faces a crush of hundreds of thousands requests. Trump told governors Thursday that restrictions could be eased to allow businesses to reopen in the coming weeks in areas that have extensive testing and a decline in cases. Hours later, Cooper, a Democrat, said states need more supplies from the federal government to expand testing enough to reopen their economies.




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COVID-19 Outbreak At North Carolina Prison Grows To 150

A COVID-19 outbreak at a North Carolina state prison has spread to approximately 150 inmates. The Wayne County Health Department said in a news release Friday that 149 inmates had tested positive for the virus at the state's Neuse Correctional Institution in Goldsboro. State prison officials had announced about 80 of the cases the previous night. The county health officials said that the number of positive results was expected to rise as the prison completes testing on all of its 700 inmates. Newly positive inmates are being put into isolation, and the state is sending additional medical and security staff to the facility.




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North Carolina Reports 350 New Coronavirus Cases

Authorities in North Carolina are reporting 350 new coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours, pushing the total number of cases to 6,500. Numbers released Sunday by the state health department show laboratory-confirmed cases increased from 6,140 cases to 6,493. The death toll increased from 164 to 172. Modeling released Friday by the University of Washington suggests that North Carolina may have reached its peak in coronavirus cases in the last few days, and that social distancing could be relaxed as soon as May 11 if sufficient testing is conducted, large gatherings are limited and other provisions remain in effect. Other models are less optimistic.




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North Carolina Coastal Town Lifts Visitor Restrictions

A coastal town in North Carolina is lifting restrictions it imposed on visitors because of the coronavirus outbreak. WITN-TV reports the town of Beaufort in Carteret County has ended its police checkpoint near U.S. Highway 70. Mayor Rett Newton says the move is the first step toward taking the waterfront town back to normal. The town declared a state of emergency on March 17 because of the threat posed by the coronavirus and enacted restrictions that were to remain in effect through April 29. On April 9, the city established checkpoints that limited access to full-time county residents, people sheltering in place and essential workers.




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N. Carolina Virus Outbreak Means Prisoner, Staffing Shifts

A large COVID-19 outbreak at an eastern North Carolina prison has led officials to shutter a nearby facility so its correctional officers can help relieve staff there. The Division of Prisons said Monday that more than 330 of the 700 offenders at Neuse Correctional Institution in Goldsboro and a dozen of its employees have now tested positive. Nearly all of them are asymptomatic. Officers from the Johnston Correctional Institution should start working at the Neuse prison in a few days now that the Johnston prisoners have been moved elsewhere. There are now 6,750 positive COVID-19 cases statewide and about 180 deaths.




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Craven, Jones, And Lenoir Counties Report COVID-19 Deaths

Three Eastern North Carolina counties are reporting COVID-19 related deaths today. Health officials in Lenoir County say an individual over the age of 65 with underlying medical conditions died. It is the first fatality in Lenoir County due to coronavirus. The Craven County Health Department announced another person died from COVID-19 complications. Craven County now has a total of four coronavirus deaths. The Jones County Health Department said in a news release that their second coronavirus death is an individual in their 90's with underlying medical conditions.




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Hundreds Demand North Carolina Governor End Stay-Home Order

Hundreds of people angry and frustrated with North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper’s stay-at-home order marched around his home while demanding that he cancel it to help restore the state's economy. The crowd gathered on Tuesday before being escorted by Raleigh police motorcycles to walk through downtown Raleigh streets, including those surrounding the Executive Mansion. Cooper’s current order expires April 29, but the governor has said goals still must be met to ease movement and commerce restrictions. He says he'll release more specifics this week about quantifying those goals. Governors of some surrounding states already have announced plans to reopen some businesses.




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State Reports First Inmate Death At NC Prison

The state says an inmate at a medium security prison in Burgaw died Tuesday from complications due to COVID-19. The inmate, which was housed at Pender Correctional Institution, was in their 50s and had underlying health conditions. “This is a sad day as all human life is precious," said Todd Ishee, Commissioner of Prisons with the N.C. Department of Public Safety. "The health and safety of our staff and the men and women in our custody is of the utmost importance to us.” According to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Service's website, there are outbreaks at five correctional institutions in North Carolina– the largest of which is at Neuse Correctional Institution in Wayne County where more than 450 inmates and staff have tested positive for COVID-19.




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North Carolina Extends Stay-Home Order, Develops Reopen Plan

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper says the state's stay-at-home order from COVID-19 will remain in place for at least another two weeks because current data doesn't support loosening restrictions that began in mid-March. The Democratic governor said this and other prohibitions on dine-in restaurant services and mass assemblies has now been extended until May 8. The stay-at-home order was supposed to expired next week. Cooper also unveiled a three-phase plan for reopening based on expanded tracing and testing and declining case growth. Republican governors in Tennesse, South Carolina and Georgia this week announced they would ease restrictions so that some nonessential businesses could open.




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NC Public Schools Closed For Remainer Of The Year

K-12 schools in North Carolina will remain closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Gov. Roy Cooper announced Friday that remote learning will continue for the remainder of the year. "Classrooms might be closed, but the learning is not over," said Cooper. "We don't make this decision lightly, but it's important to protect the health and safety of our students and school staff." Cooper said the reopening of schools will depend on meeting health goals that will be developed. The governor also announced partnerships with AT&T and Duke Energy Foundation that will provide 180 hotspots to help students without home internet access. Cooper released a proposed budget Friday that directs $1.4 billion in federal funds to help with the state’s coronavirus response.




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Pandemic Could Delay Removal Of Grounded Ship On Outer Banks

The coronavirus pandemic could delay the removal of a 72-foot long fishing vessel that has been grounded for weeks on a beach on North Carolina’s Outer Banks. The scallop harvesting boat is considered a safety hazard as curious people climb aboard its rusting hull. The Virginian-Pilot reported Saturday that removing the abandoned boat could cost more than $60,000. The boat’s owner is responsible for its removal. But the owner lives in Texas. Stay-at-home orders have limited travel between states. Visitors are also banned from coming to the Outer Banks. The ship ran aground during a storm on March 1 near Oregon Inlet.




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Carteret County Maintained Beach Accesses Reopen

Carteret County officials on Monday reopened all county-maintained beach access points, including Salter Path, Radio Island and Harkers Island beach accesses. A news release from the Carteret County Department of Human Services said those who visit the beach should continue to practice social distancing and avoid mass gatherings to reduce the spread of COVID-19.




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Carteret County Lifts Visitor Restrictions

The Carteret County Board of Commissioners lifted travel restrictions for visitors on Wednesday. An amendment to the county’s state of emergency proclamation also allows the rental of hotel and motel rooms, condominiums, RV campsites, and similar accommodations. According to a news release, the amendment only applies to locations within the unincorporated areas of Carteret County. Officials say residents and visitors should continue to follow the guidance of Governor Cooper’s stay-at-home order, which is in effect through May 8th.




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North Carolinians Can Buy Meals To Feed Healthcare Workers On Frontlines Of COVID-19

Through a program called “Feed the Soul,” hospital workers across North Carolina are receiving deliveries of nutritious meals as they respond to growing needs to treat COVID-19 patients. The program also supports local restaurants seeing a slowdown in business. The meal deliveries are made possible by contributions made to an emergency response fund created by the North Carolina Healthcare Foundation ( NCHF ), a nonprofit charitable organization. To date, the program has delivered more than 10,000 meals to staff at 13 hospitals in Asheville, Charlotte, Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill. The program is now expanding to Greenville and Wilmington in eastern North Carolina. North Carolina has more than 200,000 hospital workers, many of whom are appreciating the delicious and nutritious meals prepared by local restaurants. “While most of us are staying home to eat meals due to social distancing, hospital employees are working around-the-clock to care for growing numbers of coronavirus




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Gov. Cooper Signs Order To Begin Phase 1 of Reopening Friday

On Tuesday, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper signed Executive Order No. 138 that implements phase one of easing restrictions. The order takes effect Friday, May 8th at 5pm. The governor said the modification to the statewide stay at home order will allow some businesses to reopen. “Retail stores will now be allowed to increase to 50% capacity as long as they can implement social distancing and frequent cleaning,” said Cooper. “The order allows people to leave home to visit any business that is open and it encourages parks and trails to reopen.” However, businesses like salons, barbers, theaters, gyms, and bars will remain closed for phase one. The governor said church services can resume as long as they are held outdoors and social distancing measures are practiced. “COVID-19 is still a serious threat to our state, and Phase 1 is designed to be a limited easing of restrictions that can boost parts of our economy while keeping important safety rules in place,” said Cooper.




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Outer Banks Counties Announce Date For Reopening To Visitors

Three counties on North Carolina's tourist-reliant Outer Banks have announced plans to lift coronavirus-related visitor restrictions. Officials in Currituck, Dare and Hyde counties released a joint statement on Wednesday announcing restrictions on entry for visitors will be lifted at noon on Saturday, May 16. According to the statement, reopening to visitors on that date will allow local businesses, attractions, and accommodation providers time to follow the new business operating requirements put in place by Gov. Roy Cooper's executive order. Officials are also reminding potential visitors to observe restrictions such as social distancing because the pandemic is not over.




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Fort Macon Reopens Saturday, Record Number Of Visitors Expected

As Governor Roy Cooper’s order to ease restrictions takes effect later this week, 29 state parks will reopen to the public on Saturday, May 9th. That includes Fort Macon, which is one of the most visited state parks each year. “Our main goal is to give people access to the park without it getting too crowded,” said Katie Hall, the Public Information Officer for the North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation. Fort Macon State Park closed almost seven weeks ago because of the COVID-19 pandemic. On Saturday, beach areas, trails, and restrooms will reopen to the public. However, the visitors center and the exhibit will remain closed. Hall said park rangers are expecting a record number of visitors this weekend, surpassing park visitation numbers during the Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Independence Day holidays. “We’re not really opening the park for people to hang out. The idea is to get to the park, get some fresh air, get some exercise, run on the beach, whatever you like to do, and