NC Governor Roy Cooper has issued the latest Executive Order on March 27, 2020.  

  - March 31: Executive Order 124 prohibits utilities - including electric, gas, water, and wastewater services - from disconnecting people who are unable to pay during this pandemic and prohibits them from collecting fees, penalties, or interest for late payment.  The order applies for the next 60 days and gives residential customers at least six months to pay outstanding bills. See Frequently Asked Questions for more information.  In an effort to assist our customers during this period, effective immediately the Town of Aberdeen will not cut off service to residential customers for water, sewer, or sanitation for non-payment of fees for at least the next 60 days, subject to extension of this date by the Office of the Governor of NC, EO 124. Additionally, no new late fees or penalties will be charged as of March 31, 2020, for non-payment during this time frame moving forward. Following the termination of this Order by the Governor, the Town will establish an optional re-payment schedule for customers of 180 days or more for repayment of all past due utility fees. We encourage all customers to continue to make all payments in a timely manner if you are able to do so. Cut off of utility services may still occur for health and safety reasons and to commercial accounts.  If you have any questions about your water account, please contact the Utility Billing Department at 910-944-7799.

  - March 30: Executive Order 122 helps schools and local governments access state surplus property to help bridge gaps during the response to COVID-19.
   -March 27: Executive Order 121 issues a statewide Stay at Home Order beginning Monday, March 30, 2020 at 5 p.m. until April 29, 2020, directing people to stay at home except to visit essential businesses, to exercise outdoors or to help a family member.  Specifically, the order bans gatherings of more than 10 people and directs everyone to physically stay at least six feet apart from others. See Frequently Asked Questions for more information.
 - March 23: Executive Order 120 closes K-12 public schools statewide through May 15, bans mass gatherings over 50 people, and closes some businesses.  
 - March 21: Executive Order 119 waives restrictions on child care and elder care, provides DMV flexibilities.
 - March 17: Executive Order 118 closes restaurants and bars for dine-in service, makes unemployment benefits more widely available.
 - March 14: Executive Order 117 closes K-12 public schools statewide.

Text COVIDNC to 898211 to receive regular alerts on the COVID-19 situation and North Carolina's response.   

What is COVID-19?

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. The virus that causes COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus that was first identified during an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan, China. Risk of infection with COVID-19 is higher for people who are close contacts of someone known to have COVID-19, for example healthcare workers, or household members. Other people at higher risk for infection are those who live in or have recently been in an area with ongoing spread of COVID-19.

How does COVID-19 spread?

The virus that causes COVID-19 probably emerged from an animal source, but is now spreading from person to person.  The virus is thought to spread mainly between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet) through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It also may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads. 

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

Patients with COVID-19 have had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of:
• fever
• cough
• shortness of breath

How can I help protect myself?

People can help protect themselves from respiratory illness with everyday preventive actions.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.

If you are sick, to keep from spreading respiratory illness to others, you should

• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

More information and videos can be viewed on the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention website.