WILMINGTON, N.C. – The Battleship North Carolina is resuming its full public tour route following Gov. Roy Cooper's decision to move the state into Phase 2.5 of reopening.

The full tour route will resume on Saturday officials say, but procedures and guidelines for helping prevent the spread of COVID-19 will remain in place.

Those procedures include:

  • Offering only self-guided tours of the full public tour route
  • Requiring visitors to wear a cloth mask over their nose and mouth. Non-medical masks, bandanas or scarves may be worn
  • Limiting the number of visitors allowed in the gift shop and closing the visitors center
  • Welcoming only non-cash (credit card) payments
  • Providing hand sanitizer and hand-washing facilities
  • Cleaning high-touch public areas and restrooms frequently
  • Using protective barriers at sales desks

Hours of operation are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily with the last tickets being sold at 4 p.m. Adult admission will return to $14. Group, child, military, and ADA rates available where applicable.

In a release Friday, officials say, "Visitors are encouraged to follow the “Three Ws” as outlined by the N.C. Dept. of Health and Human Services – WEAR a cloth mask over your nose and mouth; WAIT at least six feet apart and avoid close contact; and WASH your hands or use hand sanitizer. If you are experiencing symptoms of illness, we ask that you postpone your visit."

President Donald Trump was in Wilmington on Wednesday to declare the city the nation's first WWII Heritage City.

Speaking in front of the Battleship N.C., Trump marked the 75th anniversary of the signing of the Japanese surrender by recognizing Wilmington’s role on the homefront in World War II.