Downtown Andrews is closed if you’re not a local.
On Monday afternoon, Mayor James Reid issued an emergency order restricting access to the town to just Locust Street starting at 6 p.m. He said his goal was to keep travelers on the four-lane highway and bypass Andrews.
“My ultimate goal is to keep everyone here safe,” he said.
Reid added via video that there were no COVID-19 cases in Andrews, and that most were in Murphy “or down toward Ranger.” He encouraged residents to stay local to minimize exposure to the coronavirus, but residents of Marble, Nantahala and Topton were still welcomed in Andrews.
The mayor said the Andrews Board of Aldermen agreed with him, and he’s been in contact with Emergency Medical Services, Cherokee County commissioners and the state. He said most were in support of his decision.
Reid thanked Cherokee County Schools Superintendent Jeana Conley for allowing school resource officers to assist in the effort. Conley said since there is little SROs can do at the moment, she told them they could help.
“We also have lots of teachers and all three administrators that don’t live in Andrews, and they can help recognize and wave them all through,” she said.
The emergency order issued by Reid directed the Andrews Police Department to place a manned roadblock at Ty Burnette Bridge on Locust Street, where officers were directed to limit access to locals. All individuals over age 16 are required to produce identification verifying residency in Cherokee, Graham or Macon counties.
The order also allows the police to expel anyone from the town who has an out-of-state plate and cannot show proof a local address with the authorities.
Alderman Scott Stalcup, who works with the N.C. Department of Transportation, was put in change of setting up the barricades. Reid said Stalcup was working on making sure everything was legal before placing them.
“I don’t think what we’re doing is far-fetched,” Reid said.
Mayor Rick Ramsey of Murphy said he had no plans for similar actions.
“For the immediate future, there will be no roads closed in Murphy,” he said.
In fact, Ramsey said he has been in conversations with the DOT, learning that both U.S. 74 and U.S. 129 cannot be closed. U.S. 74 is part of the Federal Highway National Truck Network, while U.S. 129 is part of the National Highway System.
He said he personally wants to see semi-trucks delivering groceries and medical supplies to Murphy not be impeded.
Ramsey said he has received a few complaints about non-local residents being in town, but after surveying hotels saw few vehicles with out-of-state plates. He determined those plates belonged to doctors providing relief to Erlanger Western Carolina Hospital and construction workers performing essential tasks, like repairing the town’s sewer lines. He added both were permissible under the governor’s orders.
He thinks residents should not be more concerned about visitors carrying the virus. Of the four unrelated COVID-19 situations in the county, only one is known to come from someone visiting from out of state.
“If you do social distancing, if you shelter in place, if you’re washing your hands… you should not have too much fear,” Ramsey said.
Both state and local governments issued new restrictions last week, including Gov. Roy Cooper’s Stay At Home order Friday afternoon.
County Health Director David Badger said the new cases of COVID-19 are not a reflection of the recent measures taken by state and local governments, since tests results are averaging 10 days to return.
“That will take time to show up in the numbers,” Badger said.
On Friday, the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners recommended that all residents begin or continue stay-at-home strategies. They also said they were considering actions to discourage travel or lodging by those from impacted areas.
“Let’s do what we can for our county,” Commission Chairman Roy Dickey said.
Later Friday, the county declared that all lodging facilities with rentals for less than a month were to close. The only exceptions were those for work-related accommodations, the homeless shelter and emergency accommodations. Those already at lodging facilities were allowed to remain in place.
Both the towns of Andrews and Murphy issued similar declarations. The towns continue to have pedestrian curfews from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.
The state’s Stay At Home order – which went into effect Monday at 5 p.m. – requires everyone to remain at their residence except for essential activities. Essential activities included for health, services and supplies, outdoor activity, work at businesses allowed to remain open and to take care of others, worship, travel between residences and volunteer.
“I’m really glad Gov. Cooper did that,” Ramsey said.
Badger said everyone is going to be sacrificing some of their freedoms. He knows it’s hard to not want to be out on the playground on beautiful days.
“Undoubtedly, it’s going to be rough,” he said. “It’s going to be harder and harder.”
Badger added that it will be an ongoing issue. He said there is a chance the governor’s orders could be implemented longer.
Ramsey said the reason he closed the recreation areas on March 23 was because he saw “kids being kids” and parents not following social distancing guidelines. The River Walk remains open to groups of five people or less.
“You can go a little nutty staying in the house,” he said. “I recommend people reach out to friends and family on the phone. Play games inside. Look at photo albums. Cherish your life. Find creative ways that allow you to get through this with as little stress as possible.”
For details on the state order, as well as a frequently asked questions document, visit ncdhhs.gov.
Paul Worley, the county’s economic development director, wants small businesses to know there is assistance available to them. He said the Economic and Workforce Development team at Tri-County Community College has information on assistance programs and offers services to assist business owners at no charge.
Since the team is working remotely, business owners are asked email Worley at pworley@tricountycc.edu, Aaron Patton at apatton@tricountycc.edu or Kathryn Jenkins at kjenkins@tricountycc.edu.