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The Town of White Lake remains under a State of Emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in compliance with Executive Order 135 issued by Governor Roy Cooper on April 23, 2020, and COVID-19 Bulletin #2 of the Town of White Lake State of Emergency. The terms set forth in Governor Roy Cooper’s Executive Orders: EO 120, EO 121, EO 131, and EO 135 are hereby incorporated by reference into this Bulletin, and the businesses and facilities ordered to cease or restrict operations therein are hereby ordered to cease or restrict operations and close in compliance with the terms of those Executive Orders. All previous restrictions from the Governor and Bladen County Commissioners including the prohibition of mass gatherings remain in place.

This declaration is to implement several operational changes to ensure social and physical distancing, limit exposure, and lift certain restrictions regarding non-residential property owners and renters. Based on the current health data, the following shall apply:

MUNICIPAL FACILITY CLOSINGS

The Town of White Lake Administrative Department, Police Department, Fire Department, and Public Works Department remains closed to the public until further notice. Although these facilities are closed to the public, we remain fully staffed and the work of the Town continues uninterrupted through the COVID -19 response.

MASS GATHERINGS – (10 or More)

Mass gatherings of 10 or more are prohibited. All persons using their residence, whether indoors or outdoors, shall at all times as much as reasonably possible, maintain social distancing of at least six (6) feet from any other person. Social distancing is not required to be maintained between immediate family or household members.

The restrictions against mass gatherings do not apply to drive-in worship services. All vehicles are strongly encouraged to maintain a distance of at least six (6) feet from any other vehicle on all sides. All persons must stay in their vehicles, to only allow immediate family or members of the same household to occupy the same vehicle and to ensure that their vehicles do not obstruct any street or sidewalk.

SHORT TERM RENTAL RESTRICTIONS

The Town of White Lake has extended a mandatory restriction on short term rentals through May 8, 2020, at 5:00 p.m. The restriction prohibits the renting of a hotel room, motel room, rental housing unit, condominium, RV campsite, primitive campsite, or similar accommodations such as manufactured home parks. No new rental occupancies of a duration of fewer than 90 days shall be allowed within the Town of White Lake until at least May 8, 2020, at 5:00 p.m.

Beginning May 8, 2020, at 5:00 p.m., the short-term rental restrictions will be partially lifted for the period of May 8, 2020, at 5:00 p.m. through at least June 4, 2020, as we continue monitoring the COVID-19 situation. Occupancy of all hotels/motels/short-term rentals shall be limited to 50% capacity.

NON-RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY OWNERS

Non-residential property owners will be allowed to return to their property beginning May 8, 2020, at 5:00 p.m.

Please show respect for your neighbors by strictly adhering to the social distancing requirements and limit group sizes as much as possible as we continue monitoring the COVID-19 situation.

NON-RESIDENTIAL RENTER(S)

Non-residential renter(s), (those persons who are primarily located in campgrounds/RV facilities) prior to May 8, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. will receive specific detailed directions from the owners of the campground/RV parks in regard to the occupancy of your unit. The renter shall comply with the property owners/managers’ COVID-19 guidelines. The capacity of all campground/RV parks shall not be allowed to exceed 50% capacity through June 4, 2020. Property owners/managers shall be responsible for determining the method of meeting the 50% capacity restrictions.

PARKING

All on-street parking of unauthorized vehicles is prohibited. Government agencies, town employees, and authorized contractors of the Town are exempt from this regulation.

It is imperative that all citizens comply with the “Stay at Home” order issued by Governor Cooper, which is in effect through May 8, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. For everyone’s safety, I strongly encourage all citizens to adhere to the guidelines and regulations established by the CDC and Bladen County Department of Health and Human Resources including maintaining social distancing (of 6-feet or greater separation) and limiting gatherings to groups of 10 or less. Wearing a protective face covering, when in public, is also recommended to prevent the spread of the virus. The Town encourages all persons to visit www.cdc.gov and www.bladencodhhs.gov for continued updates.

In addition to the State of North Carolina, the Town of White Lake pursuant to its Declaration of State of Emergency is requiring the 6’ social distancing be observed and adhered to at all times. All previous State and County requirements continue to be in effect including but not limited to the limitation of the operation of eating establishments.

We are asking that you voluntarily show courtesy and respect to the people who live here on a permanent basis. We have limited health care facilities in Bladen County, our hospital in Elizabethtown has a twenty-eight-bed capacity and one of the two medical facilities at White Lake has closed to allocate its staff and resources to other locations. Please keep in mind that these requirements are not about you and the restriction of what you may perceive as your freedom. It is about keeping people safe and preventing the spread of a deadly virus. It is important that all of us put this goal above our own personal needs.

We apologize for any inconvenience these limited restrictions may cause; however, we are making every reasonable effort to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the residents of our town.

This Bulletin shall take effect the 8th day of May 2020 at 5:00 p.m. and will be valid through June 4, 2020, and will be regularly evaluated, revised, amended, or extended accordingly, based upon existing health data and recommendations of the Governor in regard to COVID-19.

NOTE: ANY PERSON WHO VIOLATES ANY PROVISIONS OF THIS DECLARATION OR ANY PROVISION OF ANY EXECUTIVE ORDER ISSUED BY THE GOVERNOR SHALL BE GUILTY OF A CLASS 2 MISDEMEANOR IN ACCORDANCE WITH N.C. GENERAL STATUTE §14-288.20A.