RALEIGH, N.C. — A state judge ruled Tuesday that dozens of bowling alleys across North Carolina can reopen immediately, despite state orders that have kept them closed for more than three months to limit the spread of coronavirus.
The Bowling Proprietors Association of the Carolinas and Georgia sued Gov. Roy Cooper last month, claiming that his pandemic-related restrictions unfairly kept bowling alleys closed while allowing other businesses to reopen and operate under strict social distancing and cleaning guidelines.
Special Superior Court Judge James Gale agreed, ruling that Cooper "has no reasonable basis to continue to treat bowling alleys differently than businesses sharing common risks which he has allowed to reopen during Phase 2."
Governor Roy Cooper's spokesperson Ford Porter shared the following statement in response to a court ruling today on opening bowling alleys during COVID-19:
Hospitalizations and positive cases are reaching record highs while the Governor works to get schools open and prevent the state from going backward on restrictions. The Governor will immediately appeal this ruling that harms both of these efforts.