Protecting the safety and health of our residents continues to be the top priority of the City of Gastonia, especially during the public health crisis caused by COVID-19. The City is complying with the State of North Carolina's executive orders designed to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Effective at least until Jan. 29, North Carolina is under a modified stay-at-home order. In addition, the NC Department of Health and Human Services has issued a Secretarial Directive urging residents to wear face coverings; stay home other than for essential activities such as work, school, buying groceries and receiving health care; and avoid gathering with people that you do not live with.
- State of North Carolina news release about extension of modified stay-at-home order
- State of North Carolina modified stay-at-home order
- Frequently asked questions about the modified stay-at-home order
North Carolina is using color-coded County Alert System regarding the spread of the coronavirus. Gaston County classified as "red" with critical levels of community spread.
North Carolina requires that a face covering be worn in all indoor settings if non-household members are present. Face coverings are also required outdoors when it is not possible to maintain at least a 6-foot distance from others.
The state is using a multi-phased approach to ease restrictions put in place in March because of COVID-19. The state of North Carolina is in Phase 3. More types of facilities are allowed to reopen in this phase, but capacity limits apply to most venues. And as of November 2020, the indoor mass gathering limit was reduced from 25 people to 10.
Phase 3 information:
Phase 3 information:
- State of North Carolina news release about extending Phase 3 and reducing the indoor gathering limit
- Frequently asked questions about Phase 3 and what facilities are included in indoor mass gathering limits
- North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services' recommendations for gatherings during the pandemic
Residents are strongly urged to follow the three W's:
- Wear a cloth face covering while in public
- Wait 6 feet apart to maintain a safe distance
- Wash hands frequently
City buildings, services and meetings in Phase 3
The City of Gastonia continues to provide essential services to residents. The information below explains how some services and access to City facilities have been revised in response to COVID-19.
- City office buildings are closed to the public, including Gastonia City Hall, the Garland Municipal Business Center and Utility Customer Service Center, Parks and Recreation administrative offices, and Recreation Centers. Other options for paying utility bills.
- Visitors to the Gastonia Police Department and Fire Stations are to use a call button next to the front door.
Utility service
Executive orders by the governor of North Carolina temporarily stopped the disconnection of utility service for nonpayment from March 31 through July 30, 2020. However, customers are still required to pay for the water, sewer service and electricity they used during this time. The City of Gastonia and Two Rivers Utilities resumed normal collections procedures on past-due residential accounts on July 30, 2020.
Events
- Most City-sponsored public events are canceled until further notice. An updated list of events is on the City's Facebook page.
- Parks, greenways, trails, playgrounds and open spaces in City parks are open sunrise to sunset, but visitors should maintain a social distance of 6 feet from others.
- Athletic fields and outdoor basketball and volleyball courts at parks facilities are open for passive recreation. Limitations on contact sports. No organized practices or games at park facilities without authorization.
- Park restrooms open 8 a.m.-7 p.m. with regular closings for cleaning and sanitation.
- Drinking fountains remain turned off. Please bring your own water.
- Picnic shelter reservations are open to groups of up to 50 people or maximum shelter capacity, whichever is lower. Social distancing requirements apply.
- Some Community Centers have reopened and offer a modified list of activities. Click the link to learn more.
Schiele Museum of Natural History and Planetarium
- The museum is open. Visitors must reserve tickets in advance, wear face coverings and follow social distancing guidelines.
- The Schiele Nature Trail is open. Outdoor exhibits are open with an Educational Adventure ticket.
Solid Waste service
- City garbage collection continues as scheduled.
- Yard waste collection is on the fall/winter schedule.
- Leaf vacuuming occurs twice a month through Feb. 15. Leaf vacuuming might not happen on the same day as garbage collection.
Gastonia Police and Fire
- Gastonia Police and Fire shifts are fully staffed. Police officers and firefighters have been provided personal protective equipment and educational material. If you see GPD officers wearing face masks/coverings, this is in response to recommendations from the CDC.
- The front doors of the Gastonia Police Department are locked until further notice. Visitors should press the call button for assistance or call the GPD front desk at 704-866-6702.
- All fire stations are closed to the public. If contact is necessary please ring doorbells and assistance will be provided as soon as possible.
- Community room reservations at Police and Fire stations are canceled until further notice.
- Gastonia Police firing range is closed to the public.
- Children’s car-seat checks are temporarily suspended.
- Fingerprinting in CSI for the public is temporarily suspended.
- Community Watch meetings are temporarily suspended.
- All state-mandated business inspections are suspended.
- Bus routes are running as scheduled.
- Passengers can ride City buses for free March 25, 2020 through April 3, 2021.
- Transit passengers are to wear face coverings. Passengers should not ride City buses if they have been diagnosed with COVID-19, have COVID-19 symptoms or have been exposed to the coronavirus.
- Passengers are to enter and exit the bus through the rear door to maintain social distancing from the driver.
- Bus interiors, doorways and the transit center are cleaned and disinfected hourly or after each round trip.
- The 85X express bus is on a modified schedule. Fares and schedule are determined by the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS). CATS resumed charging fares June 8, 2020.
Gastonia City Council meetings and Advisory Committee meetings
- All Gastonia City Council meetings are being held at City Hall until further notice. Individuals who wish to speak during the public comment portion of a City public meeting must register in advance and attend remotely.
- The public can watch meetings via livestream on City’s website. Until further notice, meetings on the third Tuesday will no longer be broadcast on government-access cable TV channels.
- Advisory Committee meetings held via teleconference or livestreamed from City Hall.
- Open but following the Phase 3 guidelines for reduced capacity.
Important resources about the coronavirus and COVID-19
Health information
- Gaston County COVID-19 vaccine information
- Gaston County COVID-19 case count dashboard
- Gaston County's Gaston SAVES initiative - Mask Together, Gaston
- North Carolina Dept. of Health and Human Services COVID-19 information website (NC COVID-19 case count, resources for individuals and businesses)
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control coronavirus website
- U.S. National Institutes of Health coronavirus website
Businesses
- Gaston Recovers small-business bridge loan program announcement, overview and application
- North Carolina COVID-19 resources for businesses and employers
Individuals and families
- Gaston County coronavirus hotline (to report businesses operating over capacity or not following distancing guidelines, M-F, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.): 704-862-5303
- Gaston County CARE plan (one-time payment to individuals who lost income during the COVID-19 pandemic)
- Gastonia Electric Assistance Resource (GEAR helps low-income customers pay their electric bills)
- Crisis Assistance Ministry of Gastonia (assistance with utility bills, rent/mortgage payments and food)
- NC 2-1-1 hotline and website (free information and referral service about locally based health, financial and human services)
- NC360 website (free referrals to local assistance with food, housing, health care, financial, child care, mental health and other needs)
- NC Crisis Intervention Program (assists qualifying individuals and families unable to pay the cost of heating or cooling their residence)
- NC Child Care Hotline for local care options for children under age 12: 1-888-600-1685
- NC health insurance options
- NC unemployment assistance
- NC Check My Symptoms (interactive tool to determine if you should be tested for COVID-19)
- NC Find My Testing Place (interactive locator of COVID-19 testing sites)
- NC Slow COVID NC exposure notification app
- Gaston County Schools meals available for pickup for remote learners
- Cathy Mabry Cloninger Domestic Violence Shelter in Gaston County. Crisis line: 704-852-6000
**This page was last updated Jan. 21, 2021.**