COVID-19 Essential Businesses

May 6, 2020 Update:
 
Governor Roy Cooper signed Executive Order 138 on May 5, 2020, which is effective May 8, 2020 at 5 p.m. Under the order, which supersedes Executive Order 121, there will no longer be “essential business” designations.

As a result, the North Carolina Department of Revenue will no longer have authority to determine whether a business is allowed to operate under the new order and, therefore, is no longer accepting applications from businesses seeking to be deemed essential.
 
All businesses, regardless of a previous NCDOR designation, are governed by Executive Order 138 once effective, including any businesses that must be closed under that order.  Please refer to the order for guidance. 
 
Law enforcement agencies are responsible for enforcement of the Executive Order and should address individual citizen concerns about local business operations.
 

Frequently Asked Questions on Phase 1 and Executive Order 138
 
Guidance for businesses During Phase 1 from NC Department of Health and Human Services
 
Questions may be directed to Essential.Exemptions@ncdor.gov