North Carolina Becomes Latest State to Eye Reopening, Beginning June 1 (UPDATED)

CLARIFICATION -- North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said on Wednesday that he plans to lift all mandates on social distancing and gathering limits by June 1 if coronavirus metrics remain stable and residents continue to get vaccinated.

Further restrictions, including the statewide mask mandate, could be halted once two-thirds of North Carolina have gotten at least one COVID-19 vaccine, the AP reported.

Original story below:

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper announced Wednesday the state hopes to lift mandatory social distancing, capacity and mass gathering restrictions by June 1.

"The more we encourage people to get their shots, the sooner we can put this pandemic in our rearview mirror," Cooper said.

To date, North Carolina has administered over 6.5 million vaccines. 46.9% of adults are at least partially vaccinated, and 35.1% are fully vaccinated, the governor said in a press release. More than 76% of people 65 and older have had at least one shot. 

Teams like the Carolina Panthers and the North Carolina Tar Heels can have full capacity for their games this coming season if this becomes a reality, Pack Pride reports.

Full capacity stadiums may happen for many programs in the 2021 season with the COVID vaccine rollout.

“We are moving forward with plans to have a full stadium in the fall and will monitor medical guidelines as we have all along. #RollTide,” Alabama director of athletics Greg Byrne tweeted on March 1.

Pack Pride's Nick Kosko reports that, during a meeting today regarding Owen Field stadium capacity this fall, University of Oklahoma President Joe Harroz said, “Our answer is right now we are planning going back to full capacity with safeguards in place."

Clemson University President Jim Clements sent out an email to the Clemson community in March stating they planned for a full capacity this fall.

"We're planning for a normal level of campus activity starting in the fall, including full capacity for Tigers football games," he said.

"Texas AD Chris Del Conte responded to a user’s question on Twitter about the Longhorns’ plan for full capacity. Assuming the majority of the country is vaccinated by the end of the summer, Del Conte said that their plan is to have 100% capacity at Longhorns games," Pack Pride reports.