
All North Carolinians can better respond to COVID-19 by getting the latest information directly from reliable sources. Be thoughtful about what you read or hear about the virus and make sure you are separating rumor from fact before you share it. Also, be mindful that emerging developments may trigger new guidance, so keep checking for the latest updates. This webpage is intended to serve as a central location of reliable resources to help counties navigate COVID-19 response and information.
Key Phone Numbers
- NC COVID-19 Helpline: 1-866-462-3821
- NC 2-1-1 by United Way of North Carolina is now available for people to call for assistance related to the COVID-19 coronavirus
- COVID-19 text information and updates are available. To sign up, text COVIDNC to 898211.
- North Carolina Emergency Management established a hotline for questions related to FEMA public assistance. Applicants may dial by phone at 919-825-2548 or by email [email protected].
- Families that rely on free and reduced-price meals can text FOODNC to 877-877 to get information about location and serving times for nearby pick-up and drive-thru free meal sites while schools are closed. The service is available in Spanish by texting COMIDA to 877-877.
- An interactive map of local school sites, and food assistance programs is available at www.nokidhungrync.org/covid19/
Key Resources
- North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
- North Carolina Executive Orders
- UNC School of Government COVID-19 Resource Webpage
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Federal Legislation and Information from National Association of Counties
- OSHA COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing ETS Updated (11/5/21)
Vaccine Strategy Resources
American Rescue Plan (ARP)
More Information

American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Technical Assistance
Information on the $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package
CARES Act: Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) Resources and Related Links
Additional Resources
- County Services
- Budget & Fiscal
- NCACC COVID-19 Revenue & Budget Updates Memo, April 2020
- Local Government as Lender: Emergency Loans for Small Businesses (UNC School of Government)
- Local Government Finance Office Management and Internal Controls during COVID-19 (UNC School of Government)
- Taxes, Reappraisals, and Budgets in the COVID-19 Era (UNC School of Government)
- Interim Budgets (UNC School of Government)
- Correctional Facilities & Law Enforcement
- Courts
- Education
- Executive Order 117 Guidance for Personnel Measures & School Facilities
- Local Government Childcare Assistance for Essential Employees During COVID-19 Outbreak (UNC School of Government)
- Meals for Kids and COVID-19: What is the Status of School Meals in North Carolina? (No Kid Hungry NC)
- Governor Cooper Directs $95.6 Million to Support Students Impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic (nc.gov)
- Elections
- Emergency Response
- Health & Human Services
- COVID-19: Monitoring Employee Health at Work (UNC School of Government)
- Information and Guidance for Local Social Service Departments (NC DHHS)
- Interim Guidance for Environmental Cleaning for Non-Healthcare Settings Following Exposure (NC DHHS)
- Resources to support people experiencing homelessness (CDC)
- Interim Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Guidance for Homeless Shelters
and Service Providers (NC DHHS)
- Personnel Matters
- How the Paid Sick Leave Provisions of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act Affect Government Employers (UNC School of Government)
- Which Tax and Retirement Deductions must be taken from FFCRA Emergency Paid Leave? (UNC School of Government)
- Child Care Assistance (UNC School of Government)
- Preparing Local Government Workplaces for the New Coronavirus (UNC School of Government)
- Public Health
- COVID-19: Monitoring Employee Health at Work (UNC School of Government)
- Register of Deeds
- Budget & Fiscal
- County Boards
- Local State of Emergency Declarations – Some FAQs (UNC School of Government)
- COVID-19: Who Has What Emergency Authorities at the Local Level? (UNC School of Government)
- Can Counties and Cities Order “Shelter-in-Place”? (UNC School of Government)
- Meetings and Public Hearings Under the Coronavirus State of Emergency (UNC School of Government)
- Failures to Vote by Board Members Participating Remotely (UNC School of Government)
- Can We Really Ban In-Person Attendance at Board Meetings During the Coronavirus Emergency? (UNC School of Government)
- Procurement Under Grants Conducted Under Emergency or Exigent Circumstances for COVID-19 and Fact Sheet (FEMA)
- Procurement Questions for North Carolina’s Local Governments (UNC School of Government)
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic: Public Assistance Simplified Application (FEMA)
- Advisory Letter Regarding the Ability for Local Public Bodies to Conduct Open Meetings Electronically (NC Attorney General)
- Federal Resources
- Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID‑19) County Response Efforts & Priorities (NACo)
- How the Paid Sick Leave Provisions of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act Affect Government Employers (UNC School of Government)
- Guidance Explaining Paid Sick Leave and Expanded FMLA under Families First Coronavirus Response Act and FFCRA FAQs (US Department of Labor)
- The Families First Coronavirus Response Act Fact Sheet
- H.R. 6074, Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020 Title-By-Title Summary (House Appropriations Committee)
- COVID-19 NCEM Public Assistance Applicant Briefing Schedule, Weeks of March 30 & April 6
- Information on SBA small business guidance, loans and resources (US Small Business Administration)
- Other Local Government Partners
- Forecasting revenues and economic trends webinar (Sept. 3): On-demand video (MP4 file) | Slide deck (PDF)
- Contact tracing webinar (July 30): On-demand video (MP4 file) | Slide deck (PDF)
- NCACC, NCLM, NCMMC Joint Statement on Local Government Relief
- Resources for Assisting Small Businesses
- Duke Energy: Update on Relief and Waivers, March 20, 2020
- NC Department of Revenue Expands Penalty Tax Relief, March 31, 2020
- NC Department of Revenue: Tax Filing Deadline Extended to July 15
- NC Department of Revenue FAQ, March 24, 2020
- NC Department of Revenue, Local Government Division: Guidance for Boards of Equalization and Review