Wilmington and our island beaches of Carolina, Kure and Wrightsville Beaches are under an Executive Order enhancing Phase 3 restrictions by adding several new business and social restrictions to limit the spread of coronavirus.
For those visiting our city and beach communities, we thank you for trusting us with your care and safety as you 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 181 continuing Phase 3 until January 29, 2021 to address the on-going public health emergency. Face masks or face coverings are required in all indoor settings if there are non-household members present, regardless of the distance away and when out in public or in public areas 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 non-household members, 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. New restrictions per Executive Order 181 include:
The following guidelines are still in place and the mask mandate is still a requirement for all indoor settings:
Executive Order 181 and Executive Order 181 FAQs
The three island beaches are open and following state and CDC guidelines.
All lodging in Wilmington and the island beaches of Carolina Beach, Kure Beach and Wrightsville Beach are open.
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 Hotel Cleaning Programs
Blockade Runner Beach Resort
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.
“Count on Me NC” is a statewide public health initiative program. 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.
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 are mandatory. Guests are required to wear face coverings at all times unless they are actively eating or drinking. Bars' outdoor seating areas may reopen, subject to capacity limits and other restrictions. Indoor bar areas remain closed. Nightclubs and lounges can open subject to reduced capacity limits and other requirements. Delivery, take-out, curbside pickup and carry-out food purchases are still viable options and encouraged. Effective through January 29, 2021, restaurant dining rooms must be closed at 10 p.m., but the businesses may remain open for takeout, curbside and delivery.
In accordance with the Governor's orders, restaurants must end the sale of alcoholic beverages at 9 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. Restaurants and bars are allowed to sell mixed drinks for take-out and delivery. 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 including many with outdoor dining available.
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. Bars' outdoor areas, nightclubs, movie theaters, amusement parks and indoor entertainment venues can open with capacity limits and other restrictions. Visitors must comply with social distancing and group gathering protocols - no more than 10 people indoors and 50 people outdoors. As Phase 3 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.
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.
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.
Be well, travel safely and responsibly, and stay tuned.