RALEIGH, N.C. — On Thursday, the North Carolina Senatepassed legislationsponsored by Sen. Rick Gunn (R-Alamance) to allow restaurants and bars to expand outdoor seating equal to 50 percent of total occupancy. The measure passed by a 42-5 margin.
According to a release from Senate Republicans, Gov. Roy Cooper has not said whether he supports or opposes the measure. Under Cooper's executive order, bars are not allowed to reopen until phase three, which could be several weeks away.