Outer Banks closed to visitors as coronavirus pandemic spreads

The Outer Banks area of North Carolina closed to visitors starting at 2 p.m. Tuesday as the coronavirus pandemic continues to spread, Dare County officials said in a news release.

“While there are currently no individuals who have tested positive for covid-19 in Dare County, officials weighed the potential benefits for community health along with the tremendous impacts these restrictions have on our community,” officials said.

Officials said checkpoints would be established at Dare County checkpoints, and visitors would be denied. Most permanent residents, nonresident property owners and nonresident Dare County employees will be granted access. The county said re-entry permits from previous years would not be accepted.

Travelers will not be allowed to travel through Dare County to access Corolla, Ocracoke Island or Tyrrell County, but residents, property owners and employees in those areas will be granted access.

Dare County cited President Donald Trump’s coronavirus guidelines in announcing the closure.

North Carolina has reported 39 positive cases of covid-19 in North Carolina, but none is in Dare County.