COVID-19 Viticulture Update 5/22/2020

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COVID-19 Viticulture Update 5/22/2020

Wineries can Re-open in North Carolina:

Based on new guidance (EO141 Guidance on Bars) issued today on Executive Order 141, wineries can open! Also attached is the updated FAQ’s for Phase 2 (Updated Phase 2 FAQs). Please read through these documents thoroughly before opening your doors to the public to ensure this is applicable to you and that you are in compliance with all required safety measures and max gathering/social distancing rules.

In your continued efforts to keep yourselves, your staff, and your customers safe, please read through the Wine Institute: Tasting Room Reopening Protocols. This document offers excellent guidance on your safe reopening.

If you would like to see even more guidance, these other organizations also have offered advice:

Webinars:

- May 26, 9-10 a.m.: Farm Worker Health and Safety Amidst COVID-19

June 1st, 2020; 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m: Online V-Credit Class

June 2, 9-10 a.m.: COVID-19 Guidance for U-Pick and Farm Stands
June 9, 9-10 a.m.: COVID-19 Guidance for Packinghouses

Phase 2 Reopening in NC:

Section 6C of the Executive Order 141 moving NC to Phase 2 of reopening states that “restaurants may allow on-premises consumption of food and beverages. Restaurants must meet the sanitation requirements of this Section even if they are open only for take-out for delivery service.”
Section 8B of the Executive Order 141 moving NC to Phase 2 of reopening “directs that bars are not to serve alcoholic beverages for onsite consumption.”
See the full Executive Order to understand how your restaurant or tasting room is affected under COVID-19

Financial Resources:

The Small Business Association application portal for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) opened again, for farms only. See this fact sheet about the EIDL program.
Grants for Urban Ag and Innovative Production. Read about the grant, how to apply, and eligibility.

Daily COVID-19 Update as of 5/22/2020:

North Carolina (3:20 p.m. EST): 21,618 confirmed positive/ 834 deaths
USA: (5:32 p.m. EST): 1,598,631 positive/ 95,847 deaths
World (5:32 p.m. EST): 5,180,982 positive/ 336,432 deaths

Newsletter:

Please sign up for the NC State University monthly Small Fruits newsletter. Our first issue is out now. We highlight research from around the globe, shed light on the behind-the-scenes of extension, put NC State Horticulture graduate students into the spotlight, provide insightful tips into the science of farming, detail seasonal recipes, and many other things. Our next issue will highlight the NC Wine month and will come out at the end of May.