Amid increasing concerns about the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, we ask you to stay home and stay safe. While safe social distancing is recommended if you must go out, we do not recommend recreational hiking at this time. Read how staying home can save lives. As locals in this community, how we choose to handle ourselves now can have a big impact on what the future months will look like for Western NC. 

As long as the current orders are in effect, assume all Spring Events in April & May are canceled unless moved to a future date. 

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Coronavirus: Updates for Asheville and Western NC

• March 27, 2020: National Forests in NC are responding to the "Stay Home" order by shutting down all recreational facilities. This includes Pisgah National Forest and Nantahala National Forest. See details on the USDA site. Also, Asheville City Parks are closed. This includes dog parks, playgrounds, and outdoor courts, such as Carrier Park and French Broad River Park.
• March 25, 2020: Buncombe County residents ordered to 'stay home, stay safe' for two weeks. Read more on what this means.  
• March 24, 2020: Cultivated Cocktails Distillery makes sanitizer for businesses and hospitals. Read more.
• March 24, 2020: The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, DuPont State Forest, Blue Ridge Parkway make closures in an effort to slow the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. (Find details below)
• March 23, 2020: Additional 8 cases confirmed in Buncombe County, suggesting "that there is local, community transmission of COVID-19" Read more. Madison County recommends a "shelter in place" recommendation. Read more. NC school closures extended through May 15. 
• March 21, 2020:  Buncombe County and Henderson County each have their first residents test positive for COVID-19.  Read more on Citizen-Times.
• March 19, 2020: Buncombe County bans gatherings of 10 or more anywhere in the county, including Asheville. Asheville city buses run for free, no fares. Metered parking and parking garages are also free. Read more on Citizen-Times.
• March 17, 2020: Governor Cooper has ordered all restaurants and bars closed at 5 PM today until further notice. 
• March 16, 2020: A person from Macon County, NC has tested positive for coronavirus COVID-19 after visiting Asheville March 10-13. During that time they had symptoms of COVID-19. Read more. Stay tuned for updates.
• Measures are in place to protect residents and visitors to the area. Here is a helpful article on how Asheville is responding.
• Buncombe County and the City of Asheville declared a local state of emergency on March 12, 2020. K-12 schools are canceled for two weeks (effective March 16, 2020) and public gatherings are banned. 

For more general information related to the coronavirus COVID-19, visit the Center for Disease Control’s website and NCDHHS's website. ​