Most of North Carolina’s Outer Banks closing to tourists to limit spread of coronavirus

Officials in North Carolina’s Dare County, which includes part of the state’s Outer Banks, are restricting access to visitors beginning Tuesday afternoon to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

“In response to updated guidelines from the CDC to avoid discretionary travel and follow the President’s Coronavirus Guidelines for America, the Dare County Control Group has made the decision to restrict visitor access to Dare County beginning today, Tuesday, March 17 at 2:00 p.m.,” the group announced in a statement on the county’s website.

The order comes after the CDC and President Trump urged Americans to limit unnecessary trips and to avoid meeting in groups of more than 10.

The control group said they would establish checkpoints at entry points to the county to ensure that only permanent residents, “essential” personnel, such as government or medical workers, those who work at critical businesses, such as pharmacies, groceries or gas stations, and those who are property owners would be allowed in.