North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat, put in place an executive order on Tuesday to decrease the number of people allowed indoors from 25 to 10, according to The Hill.
The change comes as the state reported an increase in infections, adding 2,582 new cases since Monday, bringing its cumulative total to 297,442 cases.
“This reduction in our indoor gathering limit aims to slow the spread and bring down our numbers,” Cooper said at a press conference. “It also sends a serious signal to families, friends and neighbors across our state.”
Cooper signed the order on Tuesday and it is currently in effect. It will stay in place until Dec. 4. Gyms, museums, restaurants, conference centers, and theaters are exempt from the order.
“The science shows that the transmission of this virus is much greater indoors,” Cooper said. “And the more people who are gathered, the easier this virus can spread.”
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