Three executive orders signed by the governor Tuesday extend three pandemic-era measures, including the eviction moratorium, rules to allow to-go mixed drinks, and faster processing for unemployment claims in North Carolina.

More than a year into the coronavirus pandemic, unemployment remains high across the state, even as restrictions on business capacity and gatherings are loosened.

"Even though North Carolina is turning the corner on this pandemic, many are still struggling," Gov. Roy Cooper said. "These executive orders will help families stay in their homes and help hard-hit businesses increase their revenue."

North Carolina’s coronavirus metrics, which have become a daily staple for many, continue to plateau since they dropped from a spike after the holidays. The weekly average for daily cases has stayed below 2,000 for most of the month, down from a one-day high of more than 11,000 in January.

The number of people in the hospital for COVID-19 has remained below 1,000 in North Carolina for about two weeks, according to data from the state Department of Health and Human Services.

The new order extends the moratorium on evictions until the end of June, following an extension of the federal moratorium.

“With many people struggling financially due to this pandemic, the state’s eviction moratorium halts evictions for nonpayment of rent and sets forth certain procedures for landlords and their tenants who may qualify for protection from eviction,” the governor’s office said.

The broad order applied to most people in North Carolina, including anyone who makes less than $100,000 a year. North Carolina also has a rental assistance program to help people who have lost income during the pandemic.

The assistance program can also help renters pay their bills. The HOPE Program has paid out more than $140 million to help renters in the state, according to the governor’s office.

A federal relief program is sending another $700 million to North Carolina to help renters and landlords keep people in their homes. The governor said he is working with the General Assembly to update the rental assistance program soon.

Cooper also extended the order for the state to process unemployment claims faster.

Since March 15, 2020, when the state started to shut down because of the pandemic, more than 3.5 million people have filed for unemployment in North Carolina.

The new order on unemployment claims expires on June 30.

The third order extended by the governor Tuesday allows bars and restaurants to continue to sell mixed drinks for takeout or delivery.

Restaurants have been able to offer alcoholic drinks to go since Dec. 21.

“Allowing delivery of mixed beverages decreases customer-to-customer interactions between people who are not members of the same household and significantly reduces customer-to-employee interactions, thereby significantly reducing the likelihood of viral spread,” according to the governor’s office.

The executive order allowing to-go drinks expires at the end of April.