On Monday night, March 30, Guilford County government issued a second, amended, Stay-at-home order that clarified some aspects of a previous order and that put in place even tighter restrictions meant to help reduce the spread of the deadly coronavirus.

Chairman of the Guilford County Board of Commissioners Jeff Phillips summarized the changes in a YouTube video that the county posted with the release of the amended March 30 order that expands and clarifies new regulations in regard to activities such as funerals and church services.  It also offers additional guidance for auto dealers, realtors and others.

According to Guilford County officials, the new order also aligns Guilford County more closely to a statewide Stay-at-home order issued earlier this week by NC Governor Roy Cooper.

The countywide order expires on Thursday, April 16 – though county officials may decide to extend it to a later date if necessary.

 “We need to protect each other in Guilford County and I am asking for your help to do so,” Phillips said in the video.

Realtors are one group affected by the order.

“We clarified that all face-to-face interactions should be avoided and that open houses are not allowed through the duration of the order,” Phillips said, adding,  “A buyer walk through can be held if an offer to purchase contract is in place, and again at the time of closing.”

In-person auto sales aren’t permitted but auto sales can still be conducted online.

Under the new order, churches and organizations that provide shelters or food banks – or that are supporting blood drives – are still allowed to offer those essential services as laid out in the original order.

Funerals are limited to 10 people; however, a crew may assemble to broadcast or stream the service to a remote audience.  That audience must still adhere to social distancing guidelines.

The full order, which goes into great detail regarding the new regulations, can be found at www.guilfordcountync.gov.

Phillips instructed that, if members of the public find any differences between the state’s stay at home order and the county’s, the stricter policy should be followed.