PHOTOS: Restaurants and Salons Open Back Up as NC Cases Spike

North Carolina businesses entered Phase 2 of Gov. Cooper’s coronavirus plan, opening at reduced capacity over Memorial Day weekend. Here’s what it looked like.

For better or for worse, North Carolina restaurants reopened over Memorial Day weekend.

Restaurants, salons and pools were cleared Friday to open at 50% capacity as the state entered Phase 2 of Gov. Roy Cooper’s coronavirus reopening plan. 

Cardinal & Pine contributing photographer Grant Baldwin toured Charlotte restaurants over the weekend to check out the scene. See his photo essay below. 

RELATED: NC Will Loosen COVID Restrictions Today. But A Top Epidemiologist Calls The State’s Trends ‘Worrisome.’

Cooper announced the plan despite an increase in new cases. A day after Phase 2 began, NC reported 1,107 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, the largest one-day increase of infections yet.

As there is a lag between the development of symptoms and reporting on tests, officials are likely to note that it’s too soon to chalk up any new numbers to the reopening. New cases have generally been on the rise at the same time as testing, although the percentage of positive tests surged to 10% on Saturday too.

Mandy Cohen, secretary of the NC Department of Health and Human Services called it a “notable and concerning increase.” 

New cases dropped back to 742 on Monday, closer to the state’s seven-day rolling average. 

Cooper and Cohen are expected to address reporters Tuesday afternoon on the spike, as well as give an update on their ongoing plans for reopening. 

Businesses like bars, nightclubs and gyms are not expected to reopen until at least June 26 under Cooper’s plan, which has stirred some criticism from business owners. 

Look for updates this afternoon from Cardinal & Pine.