VISITORS WELCOME
Decision altered after backlash to checkpoints
Currituck and Dare counties plan to reopen to property owners and visitors this week and next month.
COROLLA, N.C. — Currituck County plans to reopen Corolla to nonresident property owners on Thursday and visitors on May 15.
Dare County will open its borders beginning May 4.
Officials from both counties cited more capacity at regional hospitals, a surplus of available ambulances and testing that is more widely available with faster results. Grocery stores can be restocked relatively quickly.
A month ago, Currituck joined Dare by setting up a checkpoint on U.S. 158 at the Wright Memorial Bridge to control spread of the coronavirus. Visitors and nonresident property owners were not allowed into the Outer Banks.
But the move was met with some opposition in the tourism-dependent region, leading the Currituck County Board of Commissioners on Monday to announce its decision.
“All the property owners wanted in,” said Bob White, chairman of the Currituck County Board of Commissioners. “This just lets them in to work on their house.”
Virus cases have been minimal in both Currituck and Dare counties.
Currituck County has reported two virus cases and both have recovered. Of the 15 Dare County cases, 14 have recovered and one person over 90 years old with other health issues has died.
As part of its announcement, Currituck County released rules for reentry.
Every car should have a permit for a nonresident property owner, county spokesman Randall Edwards said.
In both counties, people must comply with protocol on social distancing and limit groups to 10 people. They should bring supplies and food for two weeks. Restaurants will still have to serve takeout.
Dare County will reopen to nonresident property owners beginning May 4 based on alphabetical order of the last name. People whose name begins with A through I can enter May 4 beginning at 6 a.m. People with names beginning with J through R can enter May 6 and S through Z can enter May 8.
Property owners will need an entry permit with a matching government issued identification.
Pressure to reopen the vital tourism economy for both counties is mounting. People who own beach property for rentals want access to their property. One group of property owners sued Dare County.
But questions remain about testing for the virus at the bridge and what happens if there is an outbreak here. Many property owners come from virus hot spots in the northeast.
If there is an outbreak, Corolla could have to close again and the date to let in visitors moved back, White said. The board of commissioners plans to reevaluate its plans for visitors during its next meeting May 4.
“We’ll have to see what happens,” White said. “We can easily shut back down if we have to.”
Locals are afraid of a virus spread and if there will be enough food and supplies.
“Honestly, it’s scary,” said Corolla resident Heather Carver. “That’s the consensus of people I know. It’s too early to reopen.”
The commissioners are dismissing the governor’s stay-at-home order, said Corolla resident Gerrilea Adams.
“If the virus comes, that will destroy any season we might have,” she said.
Dare County permits are available at www.darenc.com/entry. Permits will be issued to the two primary owners listed on the tax record for each property. To get a Currituck County permit, contact emergency management at emstaff@currituckcountync.gov