Asheville, Buncombe extend 'stay home' order indefinitely; Loosen real estate agent, landscaping, auto sales rules

ASHEVILLE - Buncombe County will extend its stay at home order indefinitely but will loosen some rules, including those restricting real estate sales, landscaping and auto dealers.

Details of the new order came April 8 in a late afternoon public announcement by County Board of Commissioners Chair Brownie Newman, Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer and County Public Health Emergency Preparedness Director Fletcher Tove.

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The original order was given March 12, "when there were just 2,200 documented cases of COVID-19 in the US," Newman said. "Now less than one month later, there are more than 400,000 documented cases."

During a live streaming of the meeting, Newman signed the new order, which began 6 a.m. April 9 and remains in effect until "it is repealed, replaced or rescinded."

The new order is meant to be better aligned with a state order that lasts until April 29. But like the old county order, it is still stricter than the state in some ways. Here are some highlights:

• Lawn care and landscaping are now defined as essential in Buncombe. However, they must comply with public health guidance on physical distancing and sanitation practices which extend to include traveling to and from a jobsite and during lunch or other breaks.

• Auto sales are now considered essential, but have to be conducted by appointment. Services should be conducted remotely to the extent possible, no more than 10 people can gather and 6-foot social distancing must be observed. No test drives are permitted unless expressly requested by the purchaser, and vehicles have to be completely sanitized before and after each drive with documentation of the cleaning. A vehicle can't be driven again by a potential customer for 72 hours. 

• Real estate agents can now conduct business as long as they follow Centers for Disease Control guidelines and local orders on physical distancing, hygiene and sanitation practices.

• Hotels, short term vacation rentals and other lodging must cancel all leisure travel reservations though current guests can stay. County residents and people on essential business can be customers, though the essential nature of the business must be documented by lodging operators.

• Weddings and funerals can happen, though only 10 people can attend, including officiants and staff. Social distancing must be observed. This overrides the state rule allowing 50 people.

Local law enforcement personnel will enforce the order, officials said, "through education, dialogue and seeking voluntary cooperation."

Failing that, officials said those thought to be in violation can be charged with a Class 2 misdemeanor.  

Joel Burgess has lived in WNC for more than 20 years, covering politics, government and other news. He's written award-winning stories on topics ranging from gerrymandering to police use of force. Please help support this type of journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.