North Carolina Democratic Party Chairman Wayne Goodwin released the following statement after Governor Cooper announced a new executive order this afternoon that would lift the modified state at home order and ease restrictions on businesses like gyms, restaurants, and other venues. 

“North Carolina has been lucky to have a strong, principled leader like Governor Cooper to help navigate this crisis and make the important decisions to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and keep our fellow North Carolinians safe. Despite continued attempts by Republicans to politicize the pandemic, undermine science, and strip the Governor of his authority in partisan power grabs, Governor Cooper has always been on the side of North Carolinians — putting the health and safety of our state at the forefront of his decision-making. Moving to ease restrictions today is a direct result of those science-driven decisions, and is an important first step toward building a stronger, more resilient North Carolina as we work toward economic recovery.” 

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