Chapel Hill Takes Steps to Keep Community Safe, Limit COVID-19 Spread

To limit the spread of respiratory viruses and safeguard those most at risk of contracting COVID-19 (coronavirus), the Town of Chapel Hill is postponing, canceling, or modifying events and programs until further notice.

• All public special events and mass gatherings, and all public meetings are canceled until further notice – this includes all advisory boards, commissions and Town Council meetings until at least March 30.
• Facilities closing at 6 p.m. on Friday, March 13, until further notice include:
  • Chapel Hill Public Library
    • No items are due while the library is closed
    • Late fees will not be charged while the library is closed
  • Parks and Recreation facilities and programs, including outdoor facilities and athletic fields.

All other Town services including Chapel Hill Transit will continue to operate as scheduled.

The Town of Chapel Hill’s meeting and events calendar is being updated at www.townofchapelhill.org/calendar

A call center is open to receive questions about Town services during regular business hours, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please call 919-969-5005. For health-related questions, call the Orange County Health Department at 919-245-2400.

On Thursday, Governor Roy Cooper announced the recommendation that organizers of events that draw more than 100 people should cancel, postpone, modify these events, or offer online streaming services. These events include large gatherings where people are in close contact (less than six feet), for example concerts, conferences, sporting events, faith-based events, and other large gatherings.

The Town is encouraging our staff and partners to consider alternative meeting options such as webinars, webcasts, phone conferences, or video broadcasts for events during this period when appropriate.

The leading agencies focused on public health for Chapel Hill (NC Department of Health and Human Services and Orange County Health Department) recommend that we can prevent the spread of respiratory viruses including COVID-19 by doing the following:

• Stay home if you are sick
• Use hygiene best practices including washing your hands regularly
• Call your health practitioner before going to the hospital if you have COVID-19 symptoms

Please visit www.townofchapelhill.org/coronavirus for more information and links to official health resources.