For Ocracoke news and much more, click here
Events on Ocracoke Island are at a standstill and things are changing daily, sometimes hourly, amid the normal coronavirus (aka COVID-19) outbreak. Below is a roundup of changes on Ocracoke and recent state actions.
Starting today (March 23) the First National Bank will be drive-through only. If you need to get in your box or you need to have an appointment with Judy Garrish, call 252-928-5231. See graphic below.
Food service on Ocracoke
Howard’s Pub closed again after serving the last take-out meal Friday.
Taqueria 504Sauzo’s (Ocracoke) is open for pick up orders only, Tuesday through Sunday, but they are open today (Monday, March 23).
Sorella’s Pizza and Pasta (Ocracoke) is open for pick up and dinner deliveries. Also, new pizza kits available for any type of pizza with all the ingredients that you need.
Plum Point Kitchen (Ocracoke) is open for pick up orders only. 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday
The Ocracoke Variety Store is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. You can now text in your order and one of the store’s staff will bring your order out to your car. See story here.
Ocracoke Health Center
In order to practice prevention measures, all appointments will be scheduled through the front desk. There will be no walk-ins. Please call 252-928-1511 to schedule an appointment.
Beach Pharmacy medication pickup:
If you have medications to pick up from Beach Pharmacy, there is now a designated pickup time. The medications need to be paid for to Beach Pharmacy by credit card in advance. If you cannot make advance payment, you need to make other arrangements with Beach Pharmacy.
Designated times
2-3 p.m.: Last name A-L
3-4 p.m.: Last Name M-Z
Bread of Life Food Pantry: Remote operation
In order to promote social distancing and protect our volunteers, the Bread of Life Food Pantry suspended walk-in hours indefinitely last Wednesday. Beginning today (March 23), the pantry will temporarily transition to a food hamper delivery system. Click here for details.
Tax filing delayed
The North Carolina Department of Revenue (NCDOR) has announced today they will extend the April 15 tax filing deadline to July 15 for individual, corporate and franchise taxes to mirror the announced deadline change from the Internal Revenue Service.
NCDOR will not charge penalties for those filing and paying their taxes after April 15, as long as they file and pay their tax before the updated July 15 deadline.
However, the department cannot offer relief from interest charged to filings after April 15. Unless state law is changed, tax payments received after April 15 will be charged accruing interest over the period from April 15 until the date of payment.
These changes do not apply to trust taxes, such as sales and use or withholding taxes.
The NCDOR will issue official notification once the IRS publishes their guidance, which has not happened at this time.
Additionally, taxpayers are encouraged to use online and free services to pay their taxes this year. Most taxpayers can file online for free at: www.NCDOR.gov/NCfreefile
NCDOR online services: www.ncdor.gov. General information: 1-877-252-3052; Individual income tax refund inquiries: 1-877-252-4052
Recent state actions:
Gov. Roy Cooper has waived restrictions to increase access to caregivers to provide flexible childcare and elder care during the coronavirus emergency. The order provides flexibility to local health departments working to adapt to the increased need for their resources and is available here.
Additionally, it provides for ways for Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) offices to enact social distancing protections and waives some registration requirements to ensure resources can be delivered by truck throughout the state.
The order provides for the following:
Improve access to safe, flexible childcare for first-responders, emergency personnel, food preparers and others;
Transfer authority to local health departments to be more flexible with mandates during the crisis, so they can prioritize the most needed services;
Lifts some restrictions so that volunteers and other caregivers may care for children and elders during the crisis.
The transportation waiver includes provisions to:
Allows DMV offices to ensure appropriate social distancing including requiring appointments and making sure offices have enough space for DMV customers;
Postpone DMV hearings that can reasonably be delayed during the crisis response;
Offer clarity around regulations so that critical supplies can get where they are needed throughout the state;
Waive Commercial Driver’s License requirements to ensure school buses can be utilized in responding to the crisis.
As of March 20, NCWorks career centers are operating solely via phone and email. Although offices are closed to the public, they are still available via phone and email to assist our customers. See the fliers below.
