Coronavirus

Information about COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

It is the mission of the city of Rocky Mount to advance the well-being, safety and quality of life for our community members, and we are in contact with local health agencies to monitor the spread of COVID-19. Coronavirus disease 2019, known as COVID-19, is a respiratory illness that was first detected in Wuhan, China and can spread from person to person, and be contracted when a person comes into contact with the virus on surfaces such as door handles and equipment.

Please access the Citizen Resource Center for assistance with healthcare, food, housing, legal resources, and more.

Update: August 11, 2020

Governor Cooper issues Executive Order 156 which extends proof-of-immunization and health assessment documentation deadlines for students enrolled in public, private or religious educational institutions, including childcare facilities, K-12 schools, colleges and universities.

Update: August 5, 2020

Governor Cooper issues Executive Order 155 which extends Executive Order 141's Safer At Home Phase 2 measures until at least Sept. 11, 2020.

Update: July 16, 2020

Governor Cooper issues Executive Order 151 which extends Executive Order 141's Safer At Home Phase 2 measures until at least Aug. 7, 2020.

Update: June 24, 2020

Governor Cooper issues Executive Order 147 which extends Executive Order 141's Safer At Home restrictions and requires people, with some exceptions, to wear face coverings in public when social distancing is not possible.

Update: May 20, 2020

Governor Cooper issues Executive Order 141 which Lifts the statewide Stay at Home Order and moves the state to a Safer At Home recommendation. This Executive Order imposes restrictions on indoor and outdoor gatherings limiting the numbers for each to 10 and 25 persons, respectively. Food service providers, including restaurants and other dine-in facilities are encouraged to open to the extent practicable to safely provide food and nutrition to people in North Carolina.

Update: May 5, 2020

Governor Roy Cooper signed Executive Order No. 138 to modify North Carolina’s Stay At Home order and transition to Phase 1 of slowly easing certain COVID-19 restrictions effective Friday, May 8 at 5 pm. Certain businesses remain closed as the state continues battling COVID-19.

This Order removes the distinction between essential and non-essential businesses. Retail businesses are allowed to open at 50% capacity and will be required to direct customers to stand 6 feet apart, perform frequent cleanings, provide hand sanitizer when available, screen workers for symptoms and more. The Order allows people to leave their homes for commercial activity at any business that is open.

Certain businesses remain closed, including bars, personal care businesses, entertainment venues, and gyms. Restaurants may only continue to serve customers for drive-through, take out and delivery.

Update: April 24, 2020

Governor Roy Cooper issued Executive Order No. 135 extending North Carolina's Stay At Home order through May 8. The orders extending closure of restaurants for dine-in service and bars and closure of other close-contact businesses are also extended through May 8. Public schools in North Carolina will remain closed for the rest of the school year.

Update: April 14, 2020

To assist North Carolinians working, studying and accessing health care from home during the social distancing orders, N.C. Department of Information Technology’s Broadband Infrastructure Office has developed an interactive map to find free and low-cost internet and mobile service offerings in their area. Hometown Strong encourages its county and local partners to share this link on social media and community resources pages to enhance citizen awareness of Internet services in their community.

The online map is updated daily with new offerings, which include free public Wi-Fi access points for remote learning and working. Service providers and local schools and government services offering free or affordable options for high-speed internet can submit their offerings at https://it.nc.gov/internet. This is part of the state efforts to help students, parents and workers bridge the digital divide during the state’s response to COVID-19. Please contact us if your community is interested in working with DIT to utilize local assets for additional wi-fi expansion. Assets can be towers, buildings or even school buses!

If you are still interested in access state surplus property through Gov. Roy Cooper's Executive Order 122 please let us know!

As a reminder, Executive Order 124, issued March 31, urges telecommunications, cable and internet service providers to give customers more time to pay outstanding bills and to waive fees and interest for late payments as a result of COVID-19. It also urges providers to lift any data caps if they have not done so already.

Update: April 9, 2020

Mayor Roberson gives a press conference on the COVID-19 pandemic:

Update: April 3, 2020

The Rocky Mount Fire Department has released the following PSA from Chief Corey Mercer:

Update: April 2, 2020

Residential garbage and recycle pick-up will remain on a normal schedule. Residents are asked to place yard and bulk waste, including tree limbs, at the curb as normal. City staff will collect yard and bulk waste items as close to the normal collection day as possible.

The Rocky Mount Police Department has released the following PSA from Chief George Robinson:

Update: March 31, 2020

The city of Rocky Mount is committed to providing excellent municipal services during the coronavirus pandemic. City departments have developed a Continuance of Operations Plan in response to Governor Roy Cooper's March 27, 2020 Executive Order No. 121 that will maximize its resources and personnel to ensure customer expectations are met.

"We offer essential services to our residents, and we are prepared to deliver those going forward," said City Manager Rochelle Small-Toney. "Our Executive Leadership team has developed a Continuance of Operations Plan in case there are any additional orders from our state or federal government. We are confident in our ability to carry out these plans if necessary."

  • Water Resources will continue to provide uninterrupted service in all categories

  • Energy Resources will provide all existing services except new energy audits and installation of new load management devices. Repairs will continue on any faulty load management devices currently on customer appliances

  • All city buildings will be closed to the public except the Frederick E. Turnage Municipal Building -- only for the purpose of holding meetings of the City Council.

  • Tar River Transit will continue normal service except for rural routes, which will be by appointment; all fares are free

  • The Rocky Mount Event Center, Booker T. Washington Community Center, South Rocky Mount Community Center, Rocky Mount Senior Center, Imperial Centre for the Arts and Sciences, RM Wilson Gym are closed

  • Public Works will operate as normal regarding trash and recycling; yard waste and bulk item collection has been suspended

  • The Rocky Mount Police Department will continue fingerprinting for city residents only. Patrol, Investigations and Special Task Force will operate as normal; Animal control by appointment only. The department will continue to abide by CDC guidelines regarding social distancing

  • The Rocky Mount Fire Department will continue normal operations but will reduce its administrative office support staff

Update: March 16, 2020

The North Carolina Department of Human Health and Services has recommended that organizers should cancel or postpone events that draw more than 100 people. In keeping with this request, we recognize that residents might be cautious about entering public spaces.

  • Please keep in mind the Business Services Center at 224 S. Franklin St. provides drive-thru service for utility and tax payments.

  • The city of Rocky Mount is taking precautions with its mass transit system, Tar River Transit, by maximizing opportunities for cleaning and disinfection of frequently touched surfaces.

  • Parks and Recreation youth and adult leagues are postponed until the declaration is rescinded.

  • All tournaments scheduled for the Rocky Mount Sports Complex have been cancelled until the declaration is rescinded.

  • All events scheduled at the Rocky Mount Event Center with gatherings of 100 or more people have been cancelled.

Update: March 10, 2020

On Tuesday, March 10, 2020, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper declared a state of emergency in North Carolina as a result of the spread of the coronavirus and expects more cases of the virus to spread throughout the state. Currently, the risk of becoming infected with COVID-19 in North Carolina is still low. However, we encourage you to take the following preventative measures to help you remain healthy.

  • Frequent handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

  • Don't touch your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

  • Clean and disinfect surfaces that are frequently touched.

  • Stay home if you are ill.

Symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to the flu, though may be more severe in some people, and can include fever, cough and shortness of breath. Some cases can progress to pneumonia, multi-organ failure, and death. If you are sick or suspect you may have the virus, to keep from spreading illness to others, you are encouraged to stay home, except for seeking medical care, avoid public areas and do not use public transportation.

We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates when needed. Please follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/citybeat and Twitter at @cityofrockymtnc