Murphy – Emily Fry was hoping to hear good news during Gov. Roy Cooper’s announcement on June 24. Instead, she heard that the businesses she and her husband own – the Henn Theatre and Andrews Twin Cinema – would have to remain closed for at least another three weeks.
“It’s been extremely, extremely tough,” Fry said.
She said everyone in the community has been great, and while she knows some people have crossed state lines to see movies,
she hopes they return when local theaters can reopen. However, as she watches state officials work to reopen bars and gyms, she feels like her livelihood has been forgotten.
In his announcement, Cooper extended Phase 2 until July 17, which continues the closure of bars, gyms and entertainment venues, like theaters, as well as continues the limits on gatherings and business occupancy. He also added a requirement for North Carolinians to wear face coverings when in public spaces where social distancing is not possible, putting the responsibility on businesses to enforce the requirement.
“We’re adding this new requirement because we don’t want to go backward,” Cooper said.
Cherokee County Sheriff Derrick Palmer said his office will not be enforcing the order on businesses to require masks. However, if a business asks someone to leave because they are not wearing a mask, deputies will enforce trespassing laws.
“We encourage everyone to adhere to social distancing guidelines and face coverings,” Palmer said. “However, we do not have the manpower or resources to enforce an order that is impractical, if not impossible, to enforce.”
Murphy Mayor Rick Ramsey said he agreed with the sheriff, and he advised his police department to do their best.
“We’re not ignoring it, but it cannot become the one thing we’re doing,”
Ramsey said.
Andrews Police Chief Michael Hobgood said he also would only enforce the order at businesses requiring face coverings.
As of the announcement, the state had its second-highest one-day increase in virus cases at 1,721. About 9 percent of the tests returned positive, but Dr. Mandy Cohen, secretary of the N.C. Department of Health & Human Services, said she’d like to see the number of positive tests closer to 5 percent.
Cooper said they needed three weeks for the extension and new requirement so health experts could analyze the data and help determine the next steps, like how the school year will begin.
One business in Andrews has already closed its doors temporarily due to the face mask requirement. Pam Smith, who owns Cups & Cone Cafe with her husband, said they cannot wear face coverings in a heated kitchen, and they didn’t feel comfortable with policing the mandate to customers.
“If we don’t wear masks or enforce, that leaves us directly defying the governor’s order,” Smith said. “Despite how we feel personally, from a business standpoint it puts us in a very vulnerable position.”
The last day the Frys’ movie theaters were open was March 22, just over three months ago. Some of her teenage staff have already found employment elsewhere, as they need money for college. To help make some revenue, they’ve been holding drive-though concession stands at the Andrews theater.
“We still have bills to pay,” Fry said.
While some people say businesses should have three months of finances saved for hard times, she said that’s not always possible in small towns. She’s scared of what will happen, and hopes they don’t need to let go of the businesses.
“We’re going to do everything in our power to stay open and survive,” Fry said. “We are going to do our best to hold on to both of them.”
One thing that could help local businesses is the Town of Murphy lifted its pedestrian curfew effective Monday.
State order hurts businesses, local authorities will not enforce coverings
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