COVID-19 Updates
The Asheville Area Arts Council continues to closely monitor the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic. We will do our best to provide you with the latest news and resources.
FAQs
What is the current status of COVID-19 in North Carolina?
- March 10- Govenor Cooper declares a State of Emergency in North Carolina. Read More
- March 15- North Carolina’s K-12 public schools will close until April 6, effective March 16, per an executive order signed by Gov. Roy Cooper.The executive order also banned mass gatherings of over 100 across the state. This has now be extended until May 15 Read More
- March 17- Executive order includes expansion of the following unemployment benefits to help workers affected by COVID-19: (1) Removes the one-week waiting period to apply for benefits; (2) Removes the requirement that a person must look for another job during this time; and (3) Allows employees, who lost their jobs or who have had their hours reduced due to COVID-19 issues, to apply for unemployment benefits. Read More
- March 26- North Carolina Receives Federal Disaster Declaration for COVID-19 Read More
- March 27- Governor Cooper Announces Statewide Stay at Home Order Until April 29 Read More
- March 31- Governor Cooper signs Executive Order 124 on March 31 prohibiting utilities, including electric, gas, water and wastewater services – from disconnecting people who are unable to pay during this pandemic. To learn more, read the FAQs.
- April 9- Governor Cooper Signs Order to Tighten Social Distancing Measures, Strengthen Long-Term Care Rules and Streamline Unemployment Benefits Process Read More
- April 23- Governor Extends Stay At Home Order Through May 8, Plans Three Phase Lifting of Restrictions Based on Virus Trends Read More
- April 24- Governor Cooper, State Education Leaders: Remote Learning To Continue Through End of 2019-2020 School Year Read More
- May 5- Governor Cooper Announces Modified Stay At Home Order and Transition to Phase 1 of Easing Restrictions Starting on May 8 at 5 pm. Read More
- May 20- Governor Cooper signed Executive Order 141 moving North Carolina into Safer At Home or Phase 2 beginning on Friday, May 22 at 5 pm. This order is effective until June 26.
- June 24- North Carolina Governor announces we will stay in Safer At Home Phase 2 and adds a Statewide Requirement for Face Coverings. Executive Order No. 141 shall remain in effect, as amended below, until 5:00 pm on July 17, 2020.
- July 16- North Carolina Governor announces we will stay in Safer At Home Phase 2 and adds a Statewide Requirement for Face Coverings. Executive Order No. 151 shall remain in effect until 5:00 pm on August 7, 2020.
- August 5- North Carolina Governor announces that we will stay in Safer At Home Phase 2 for another 5 weeks. Executive Order No. 155 shall remain in effect until 5:00 pm on September 11, 2020.
- September 30- North Carolina Governor announces that we will move to Safer At Home Phase 3 on October 2nd at 5 pm. Executive Order No. 169 shall remain in effect until 5:00 pm on October 23, 2020.
- October 21- Gov. Cooper announced that following the data, North Carolina Will Remain Paused in Phase 3 for another 3 weeks. Executive Order No. 170 shall remain in effect until 5:00 pm on November 13.
- October 28- Governor Cooper Signs Executive Order No. 171 to Strengthen Eviction Prevention and Help Renters Stay in Their Homes
- November 10- Governor Cooper extends Phase 3 and lowers indoor gathering limit to 10. Executive Order No. 176 shall remain in effect until 5:00 pm on December 4.
- November 23- With Cases Rising Rapidly, North Carolina Tightens Existing Mask Requirements and Enforcement. Executive Order No. 180 shall remain in effect until 5:00 pm on December 11.
- December 8- With key metrics rising, Governor Cooper tightens stay home restrictions. Executive Order 181 requires people to stay at home between 10 pm and 5 am and will be in place until at least January 8, 2021.
What is the current status of COVID-19 in Buncombe County?
Both City and County have declared a State of Emergency.
City Council voted 7-0 March 24 to give special powers to Mayor Esther Manheimer. The change allows a faster response to emergencies during the coronavirus pandemic, according to city legal staff.
Buncombe County has issued a “Stay Home – Stay Safe” Supplemental Declaration that goes into effect Thursday, March 26, 2020 at 8 p.m. The intent of this supplemental declaration is to further minimize all opportunities for exposure and transmission of COVID-19 across the jurisdiction. This declaration directs all Buncombe County residents to “Stay Home – Stay Safe” and to limit movements outside of their homes that are not deemed essential. This declaration is valid through Thursday, April 9, 2020, at 6 a.m., but will be regularly reviewed and evaluated which may lead to revision, amendment or extension. Read more
To bring our community in closer alignment with Governor Cooper’s Stay Home order, Buncombe County Public Health has issued a new, Stay Home, Stay Safe Declaration on April 8th. Read More
On May 7, Buncombe County Commission Chairman Newman signed a declaration aligning Buncombe County with Governor Cooper’s executive order with the sole exception of a continued restriction on Leisure Travel Booking.
On May 22, Buncombe County issued a superseding Stay Safer at Home Declaration that will go into effect at 5 p.m. on Friday, May 22, 2020 and will remain in effect until June 26, 2020, unless otherwise repealed, replaced, or rescinded and transitions to Phase 2 of slowly easing certain COVID-19 restrictions.
Governor Cooper signed Executive Order (EO) No. 151, which went into effect July 17, 2020, at 5 p.m., and Buncombe County will be fully aligned with this new order. EO 151 extends Phase 2 of Reopening until Aug. 7. Buncombe County Public Health has issued a superseding Stay Safe, Stay Smart Declaration that will go into effect at 5 p.m. on Friday, July 17, 2020, and will remain in effect until Aug. 7, 2020, unless otherwise repealed, replaced, or rescinded.
Following Governor Cooper’s tightened mask restrictions, Buncombe County Commission Chairman Brownie Newman and City of Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer signed a new declaration to enforce mask-wearing in Buncombe County and will remain in effect until Dec. 11, 2020, unless otherwise repealed, replaced, or rescinded.
On December 23rd, Buncombe County Commission Chairman Brownie Newman and City of Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer approved a new declaration to further limit gatherings that will go into effect on Jan. 2, 2021.
For the latest updates, visit: https://www.buncombecounty.org/covid-19/
What safety measures should I be taking?
These simple steps can help you prepare your home, minimize your risk of exposure, and protect others from the Coronavirus (COVID-19):
- Medications: make sure you have enough medication, like blood pressure pills, to last for two weeks. Aside from prescriptions, make sure you have pain reliever (ibuprofen), stomach remedies, and cold and cough medicines.
- Masks: only wear a mask if you are sick or are caring for someone with COVID-19.
- Cleaning Supplies: plan on cleaning surfaces in your house that get touched frequently – such as kitchen counters and bathroom faucets – several times a day. Keep “high touch surfaces” in your house clean with household cleaning sprays or wipes.
- Wash Hands: as soon as you get home before touching common household surfaces. Scrub your hands with warm, soapy water for at least 20 seconds.
- Hand Sanitizer: carry and use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Flu Shot: if you haven’t already gotten your flu shot yet, it’s still a good idea to get one.
- Other: keep plenty of go-to food supplies on hand such as nonperishable foods and hydrating drinks, such as Gatorade or Pedialyte for kids.
Visit the Buncombe Ready page for more information about how to prepare.
What support resources are available?
We have added a list of support resources below and will continue to update this list as addtional information becomes available.
Questions? Email your questions to info@ashevillearts.com and we will do our best to get you answers.
Latest News
Coronavirus Relief Legislation includes Unprecedented $9.4M in Aid for Arts - Arts North Carolina
Coronavirus Relief Legislation includes Unprecedented $9.4M in Aid for Arts Today, the NC General Assembly passed coronavirus relief legislation (H1105) that provided $9.4 MILLION in emergency aid to the arts, the largest arts allocation in the State’s history. It is
Buncombe arts impact survey shows $18.7 million in losses since March
On July 24, Asheville Area Arts Council launched the Buncombe County Arts Business Impact Survey to quantify the impacts of COVID-19 on our local arts community. Over 100 arts businesses replied to the survey. Responses came from organizations that are primarily located in Asheville, Black Mountain, and Weaverville.
LOST ART: Measuring COVID-19’s devastating impact on America’s creative economy
This study estimates the effects of the COVID-19 crisis on the creative economy, comprised of industries such as film, advertising, and fashion as well as creative occupations like musicians, artists, performers, and designers. We estimate losses in sales of goods and services, employment, and earnings for creative industries and creative occupations at the national, state, and metropolitan levels over the period of April 1 through July 31, 2020.
Attorney Addresses How To Handle Anti-Mask Guests; Recorded Webinar Now Available for Viewing | Explore Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau
Explore Asheville recently hosted a free webinar for partners and the business community titled, “Five Step Action Plan: How To Handle Anti-Mask Guests,” with labor and employment attorney Andria Lure Ryan of the Atlanta office of Fisher & Phillips LLP.
394 Buncombe Businesses Awarded Pandemic Relief Grants to Restart Operations | Explore Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau
Buncombe County Tourism Jobs Recovery Fund, a $5 million COVID-19 relief grant program established by the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority and administered by Mountain BizWorks, is expected to put nearly 4,800 local people back to work
Resources
Reliable COVID-19 Updates
- For Buncombe County updates text BCALERT to 888-777 and/or visit bucombecounty.org/covid-19
- For North Carolina updates text COVIDNC to 898-211 and/or visit ncdhhs.gov
Emergency Assistance
NC 2-1-1 is an information and referral service provided by United Way of North Carolina. Accessible via an easy-to-remember, three-digit number, families and individuals can call to obtain free and confidential information on health and human services and resources within their community. nc211.org
Mortgage/ Rent Assistance/ Evictions
Town Hall on Rent and Mortgage Relief
The eviction moratorium has expired. And business rents and mortgage are coming due. Now what? This discussion on relief options for local businesses and lan...
Preparing for COVID-19 Eviction Crisis | Pisgah Legal Services
Robin Merrell, Pisgah Legal Managing Attorney, recently spoke to the Mountain Xpress and The Asheville Citizen Times about the eviction crisis facing our community. “We are fielding over 1,000 calls a week, half of which are eviction-related,” said Robin. Read...
Unemployment
DES: COVID-19: NC Unemployment Insurance Information
Before you file a claim… The fastest and most efficient way to apply for unemployment benefits is to create an online account and file online at des.nc.gov. If you’re temporarily out of work or your working hours have been reduced due to COVID-19, choose ‘coronavirus’ as your reason for separation…
Food
- If you are looking for food resources in your area, call MANNA’s Food Helpline: 1-800-820-1109 More Info
- Apply for SNAP: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly known as food stamps). More Info
- Asheville Museum Professionals Food Assistance
Medical
- If you develop symptoms of COVID-19 (fever and cough or difficulty breathing), please call your healthcare provider for evaluation. If you do not have a healthcare provider, please call a local urgent care or Buncombe County Public Health at 828-250-5300. Please do not call 911 to request testing for COVID-19, and please do not go to the emergency department unless you are seriously ill and require emergency care.
- Mission is offering virtual care: Receive an online diagnosis and prescription (as needed) for your illness from the convenience of your home for $25. Learn More
- Medicaid provides health coverage to millions of Americans, including eligible low-income adults, children, pregnant women, elderly adults and people with disabilities. Medicaid is administered by states, according to federal requirements. The program is funded jointly by states and the federal government. More Info
- Information about COVID-19 Testing Sites
Relief Funds
Craft Futures Fund
The Craft Futures Fund will support craft communities throughout the United States and their creative responses to COVID-19. These one-time, unrestricted grants of $5,000 will be disbursed to craft-based education projects that seed resilience, foster community, and amplify impact.
CARES Act Guidelines: Grant Program Description
The National Endowment for the Arts announced today its guidelines to swiftly distribute funding to nonprofit arts organizations from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to preserve jobs and help support organizations forced to close operations due to the spread of COVID-19.
Musician Relief Fund – IamAvl
We at IamAvl have always prided ourselves on being a tool for artists to gain further exposure, and play what part we can to help push them to the next level in their careers. Now, with gigs, festivals and events being cancelled, the music making community needs your support more than ever. If you a…
The Actors Fund
We provide free and confidential assistance nationally to everyone who works in performing arts and entertainment—including actors, dancers, musicians, stagehands, playwrights and many more. Whether you work on stage or on camera, behind the scenes or below the line, you can contact The Actors Fund …
CERF+ Responds to Coronavirus (COVID-19) - CERF+
Like many of you, we have been carefully monitoring the spread of COVID-19 and are making adjustments in our daily lives to protect ourselves, our families, and our communities from the virus. Our thoughts are with the artist community, many of whom are dealing with canceled shows, exhibitions, and …
The Adolph & Esther Gottlieb Emergency Grant
The Adolph and Esther Gottlieb Emergency Grant program is intended to provide interim financial assistance to qualified painters, printmakers, and sculptors whose needs are the result of an unforeseen, catastrophic incident, and who lack the resources to meet that situation. Each grant is given as one-time assistance for a specific emergency, examples of which are fire, flood, or emergency medical need.
Freelancers Relief Fund
This is a frightening time. As cities and states are shutting down events and nonessential businesses in the attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19,
industries across the U.S. have suffered or ground to a halt. We’ve heard from thousands of members who have lost jobs this month and are
concerned a…
industries across the U.S. have suffered or ground to a halt. We’ve heard from thousands of members who have lost jobs this month and are
concerned a…
Joan Mitchell Foundation Emergency Grants
Disasters are unpredictable, and the impact on an artist’s life and work can be devastating. To help artists get back to work, the Joan Mitchell Foundation provides grants of up to $6,000 to US-based visual artists who have suffered significant physical losses after natural or man-made disasters.
Musicians Foundation
Eligibility To qualify for aid from the Musicians Foundation, you must meet the following conditions: You (or the person for whom you are applying) must be a musician of any genre in a time of acute need, due to personal, medical, dental, or family crisis, natural disaster, or other emergency situat…
Guidance for Arts Professionals & Organizations
COVID-19 Small Business/Nonprofit Initiative - North Carolina Pro Bono Resource Center
The North Carolina Pro Bono Resource Center’s (PBRC) COVID-19 Small Business/Nonprofit Initiative (the Initiative) will offer pro bono legal consultations to small businesses and nonprofits with fewer than 25 employees. These consultations will help small businesses and nonprofits with COVID-19 lega…
Cuseum: Coronavirus Resources
As coronavirus continues to spread rapidly and affect museums, cultural organizations, attractions, performing arts centers, universities, and more, it is imperative to stay prepared. To help organizations take measures to reduce the spread of the virus and support their communities, we have compiled a variety of resources to assist in planning, strategy, and adapting to change.
Response to Coronavirus for Performing Arts Organizations
Lawyers for the Creative Arts has received a number of inquiries from performing arts organizations and individual artists related to best practices in response to the Coronavirus pandemic. This list includes various sources dealing with this, or similar, health-related business issues. Reviewing th…
Nonprofit Pandemic Resources
As we continue to learn more about Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and how it’s impacting communities across the country and around the world, the Center is here to support nonprofits with updates and resources to help you take steps to safeguard your employees, operations, and NC communities. If you know of or have a resource to share, please let us know.
