The Governor’s latest Executive Order, EO No. 195 issued this week, really isn’t about nonprofit corporations or homeowner and condominium associations. The Executive Order is instead aimed at easing COVID-19 restrictions on businesses, including restaurants and bars. However, there is one section that may be of interest to North Carolina HOAs and condos.
For many months now, North Carolina’s pandemic gathering restrictions have limited indoor meeting attendance to 10 and outdoor meeting attendance to 25 “at the same time in a single confined indoor or outdoor space.” Executive Order #195 increases these in-person attendance caps to 25 for indoor meetings and 50 for outdoor meetings.
While still low, its good to see that conditions are allowing attendance numbers to go up. These maximum attendance limits must be considered when planning any in-person association membership or board meeting. In addition, other restrictions from prior Orders on “emergency maximum occupancy” numbers may apply, and general COVID recommendations are still in effect on social distancing, wearing appropriate face coverings, washing hands, carrying and using hand sanitizer, etc. While this Order may permit larger gatherings, an association will still need to decide whether an in-person meeting is appropriate given the circumstances.
Executive Order #195 takes effect on Friday, February 26 at 5:00 pm and will remain in place until Friday, March 26 at 5:00 pm, unless otherwise modified.
The full order can be found at Executive Order #195.
If of interest, articles on prior Executive Orders concerning HOA/Condo meetings can be found at:
- New NC Executive Order Extends Ability to Hold Electronic Membership Meetings – 1/1/2021
- COVID-19 Update: Indoor Gathering Limit Reduced – 11/10/2020
- New NC Executive Order Extends Virtual Membership Meetings Through December 29 – 10/30/2020
- COVID-19 Update: What Phase 3 Means for NC HOAs and Condos – 9/30/2020
- COVID-19 Update: What the New Phase 2.5 Means for NC HOAs and Condos – 9/1/2020
- NC Executive Order Again Extends Electronic Membership Meetings – 8/31/2020
- New NC Executive Order Again Allows Electronic Nonprofit Membership Meetings – 7/3/2020
- COVID-19 Update: North Carolina to Remain in Phase 2, Additional Restrictions – 6/24/2020
For any HOA/condo meeting advice, contact one of the community association attorneys in the Greensboro, Charlotte, Raleigh or Wilmington offices of Law Firm Carolinas.