RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina legislators have voted to essentially overturn Gov. Roy Cooper’s order keeping bars closed due to COVID-19, but the governor may be able to block it with his veto stamp. The legislation approved by the Republican-controlled Senate and House on Thursday would allow bars to reopen outdoors only. It also would allow additional seating outdoors for restaurants that the Democratic governor partially reopened for indoor dining last week. Republicans said the measure would bring life to businesses devastated by the economic downturn and Cooper’s previous orders. But Cooper says now isn’t the time to reopen bars when hospitalizations and deaths keep increasing.

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