Gov. Roy Cooper has again blocked a legislative effort to undo his pandemic-related closure orders, vetoing legislation that would have allowed gyms to reopen and bars to serve customers outdoors.
Gyms and bars were initially included in Phase 2 of Cooper's three-part plan to resume business and social activities during the pandemic, but he left them out last month, saying the state couldn't afford to restart too many activities at once. His change meant the businesses would remain closed until at least late June.
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But the number of infections statewide continues to rise – more than 1,650 new cases were reported Friday, marking the second-highest daily total for the state – and virus-related hospitalizations have continued to set records this week.
"Tying the hands of public health officials in times of pandemic is dangerous, especially when case counts and hospitalizations are rising," Cooper said in a statement.
Two weeks ago, the governor vetoed a separate measure that would have allowed bars to reopen with outdoor seating. At that time, he noted that the measure wouldn't have allowed his administration or local health officials to shut down any bars again if they were tied to a spike in infections.
So lawmakers tacked the bar provisions onto an effort to reopen gyms and tweaked it so that a majority vote of the Council of State could be used to close businesses again. Republicans hold a 6-4 edge on the council, and several of them have publicly questioned some of Cooper's actions during the pandemic.
"State and local officials must be able to take swift action during the COVID-19 emergency to prevent a surge of patients from overwhelming hospitals and endangering the lives of North Carolinians. The bill could restrict leaders who need to respond quickly to outbreaks and protect public health and safety," Cooper said in his statement.
House Bill 594 would have allowed gyms to operate at 50 percent of capacity, provided they also followed social distancing guidelines and strict cleaning protocols. Bars could have set up seating outside equal to 50 percent of their indoor capacity.
"Our state is one of only four that has not reopened gyms and fitness centers," Sen. Rick Gunn, R-Alamance, who sponsored the bill, said in a statement. "Why is it safe to have a drink outside at a restaurant, but it’s dangerous to have a drink outside at a bar? Gov. Cooper needs to release the science behind these apparent contradictions."
"Once again, the governor shows that he prioritizes his own power over the livelihoods of responsible small-business owners and families across North Carolina," House Speaker Tim Moore said in a statement.
Lawmakers on Thursday sent a third bill, this one reopening bowling alleys and skating rinks, to Cooper. A fourth bill that would allow amusement parks and wedding venues to reopen needs to clear the House before it also would head to the governor.
Some driving tests waived
Cooper signed 11 other bills on Friday, including one that would allow the state Division of Motor Vehicles to waive required road tests for some teen drivers during the pandemic.
Other signed bills would provide funds to the state Department of Public Instruction for enrollment growth, funds for a western campus of the North Carolina School of Science and Math, matching funds for North Carolina State University and North Carolina A&T State University to access federal funds and administrative changes to the State Retirement System.