Wilmington and our island beaches of Carolina, Kure and Wrightsville Beaches are under an Executive Order advancing into Phase 2.5 with the easing of more restrictions while maintaining the mask mandate and other prevention methods.
For those visiting our city and beach communities, we thank you for trusting us with your care and safety as you resume travel. We encourage you to travel and enjoy responsibly by practicing social distancing and other guidelines for your safety and those of our residents. Visitors are advised to contact lodging properties and tourism businesses directly with questions regarding reservations, admissions and availability prior to travel.
N.C. Governor Roy Cooper signed Executive Order 163 moving forward to Phase 2.5 to control address the on-going public health emergency. On September 1, the Governor extended North Carolina's “Phase 2.5” until October 2, 2020. Face masks or face coverings are required when out in public or in public areas - both indoors and outdoors - where social distancing cannot be maintained. This includes, but is not limited to, retail businesses, restaurants, lodging, transportation, etc. If you are able to safely maintain at least 6 feet distance from others, wearing a mask is not required when spending time outdoors exercising or walking in our parks or on our three island beaches.
Travelers are advised to follow CDC travel recommendations and contact lodging properties directly to confirm status and inquire about safety guidelines. Restaurants can open for indoor/outdoor dining at 50% capacity. Breweries, wineries and distilleries can open under the same enhanced sanitization and safety requirements that restaurants must follow under Phase 2.5, including a 50% occupancy limit and rigorous cleaning procedures. Retailers can open at 50% capacity with distancing restrictions. Swimming pools can open at 50% capacity. Changes in this order include: Gatherings are increased to 25 people/indoors, 50 people/outdoors. Playgrounds can open. Museums and aquariums can open at 50% capacity. Fitness/gyms and competitive physical activity facilities can open at 30% capacity. Under Phase 2.5, bars, nightclubs, indoor entertainment venues, movie theaters and amusement parks will remain closed. Additional restrictions may be ordered by local government officials. Phase 2.5 will last through October 2, unless otherwise modified or extended by the governor’s office.
Carolina Beach
The Carolina Beach Town Council made the following amendments to its State of Emergency Declaration on May 8:
Kure Beach
The Kure Beach Town Council made the following amendments to its State of Emergency Declaration on May 15:
Wrightsville Beach
The Town of Wrightsville Beach made the following amendments to its State of Emergency Declaration on May 15:
Carolina Beach, Kure Beach and Wrightsville Beach short term rentals (hotels, motels, vacation rentals) are open. City of Wilmington updates are below.
Wilmington
The City of Wilmington made the following amendment to its State of Emergency Declaration on May 29, 2020:
Enhanced Safety Measures for Lodging
For hospitality businesses in Wilmington and Beaches, the health and well-being of our visitors and employees is a top priority. With safety concerns top of mind for travelers in the foreseeable future, many lodging properties are following enhanced safety guidelines provided by corporate offices, as well as guidance from respected industry associations such as the American Hotel & Lodging Association, U.S. Travel Association, the CDC, among others that are designed to provide a consistent set of cleaning and guest/associate safety standards. Many properties are also encouraging mobile check-in and check-out.
Please note that some amenities (pool, fitness center, food/beverage outlets, etc.) and services (valet, shuttle, bell service, etc.) may not be available or at limited capacity. Visitors are encouraged to contact lodging properties directly with specific questions regarding their cleaning and safety protocols.
Brand Hotel Cleaning Programs
Best Western We Care Clean
Choice Hotels Commitment to Clean
Hilton’s CleanStay
IHG Clean Promise
Marriott’s Commitment to Clean
Radisson Safety Protocol
Red Roof RediClean
Wyndam’s Count on Us
Other Safety Guidance Programs
AHLA Safe Stay
Air BnB Enhanced Cleaning Initiative
Vacation Rental Management Association Cleaning Guidelines
Wilmington International Airport Safety Measures
Wilmington International Airport (ILM) is committed to making travel as safe as possible with enhanced safety measures, cleaning and disinfecting. Learn more about how ILM is going above and beyond to create a safe and healthy airport at ILM Safe Travels.
A new statewide “Count on Me NC” public health initiative program has launched. A joint partnership between North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association, Visit NC and North Carolina State University, the public-private partnership provides specific guidance to restaurants, hotels, and other public-facing businesses on best cleaning practices and safety protocols. Centered around an evidence-based training program, “Count on Me” incorporates the best available science, and all training and materials follow a rigorous content development and review process. The program is also designed to empower customers to make a commitment to do their part to help keep everyone safe and healthy. Wilmington and Beaches travel partners have the opportunity to participate in training courses and earn “Count on Me NC” seals to display at their businesses. Find a map and list here of our Count on Me NC travel and related businesses who have completed industry-specific COVID-19 training, and check back for a regularly updated list.
Carolina Beach
All parking is open to the public. Paid parking is enforced at all locations.. Please visit the Town of Carolina Beach website for the latest information.
Kure Beach
All parking is open to the public. Overnight parking is not allowed at Beach Access Parking. Parking will be patrolled and strictly enforced. Please visit the Town of Kure Beach website for the latest parking information.
Wrightsville Beach
All parking is open to the public. Paid parking is enforced at all locations. Please visit the Town of Wrightsville Beach website for the latest parking information.
Restaurants in North Carolina and in Wilmington and our island beaches can open for on-premise dining (indoors/outdoors) with limits on capacity. Breweries, wineries and distilleries can open under the same enhanced requirements that restaurants must follow. Face coverings for employees and customers are required. Bars and nightclubs remain closed to help reduce the risk to our community and visitors. Delivery, take-out, curbside pickup and carry-out food purchases are still viable options and encouraged.
In accordance with the Governors’ orders, starting July 31, restaurants must end the sale of alcoholic beverages at 11 p.m. for consumption on site. This order does not affect sales of alcoholic beverages for consumption off premises, therefore takeout and delivery of beer and wine in closed containers is still allowed until 2 a.m. Please check specific restaurant websites and social media pages, or contact the business directly to confirm what services they are offering. View our list of restaurants in the area.
The Downtown Alive experience is perfect for social distancing and features open-air shopping and expanded outdoor, alfresco dining in downtown Wilmington. Four blocks are closed to vehicular traffic four days a week on Thursday and Friday between 6:30 – 10 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. through October 18. Advance reservations with participating restaurants are encouraged.
Beaches are open for normal activities in Carolina, Kure and Wrightsville Beach. Public parks, gardens and playgrounds are open throughout the area. Wilmington's Riverwalk and Historic District are available for strolling. Retail stores, restaurants, breweries, wineries and distilleries are open with some limited capacity. Museums and aquariums may open at 50% capacity. Gyms, indoor exercise facilities, bowling alleys, skating rinks, indoor basketball, volleyball, etc. may open at 30% capacity. Visitors must comply with social distancing and group gathering protocols - no more than 25 people indoors and 50 people outdoors. Bars, nightclubs, movie theaters, amusement parks and indoor entertainment venues will remain closed. As Phase 2.5 allows more attractions to re-open, hours of operation and paid admissions will vary so please contact the attractions directly for information prior to travel.
If your travel plans are on hold, immerse yourself in the best of our virtual experiences - from our home to yours.
The Wilmington and Beaches Convention & Visitors Bureau has comprised a list of helpful hospitality employer and employee resources available including assistance programs, relief funds and more.
We will continue to share updates and resources with our travelers on an on-going basis as the situation changes. For future travel planning, please check out our seasonal trip ideas, and experience the sights of Wilmington and our beaches by clicking the images below.
Be well, travel safely and responsibly, and stay tuned.
