Dare County will reopen in the next two weeks to non-resident property owners after closing access to the county last month to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

Starting May 4, non-residents will gradually be allowed to enter. The county will be open only to those who have a valid entry permit with a matching government-issued ID. To apply for an entry permit, non-residents can go to the Dare County's website.

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        In addition to the state stay-at-home requirements, the county is requiring residents to wear a mask or face covering in public settings where "other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain," such as grocery stores and pharmacies.

        As of Tuesday, Dare County has had 15 cases of the virus and one death.

        "Dare County has developed a plan for gradual lifting of restrictions on entry based on the science, trends, data, epidemiology and resource availability," a press release from the county said.

        The county, which captures part of the Outer Banks in its borders, closed visitor access on March 17. A few days later, it extended that restriction to people who own properties on the Outer Banks and are not residents.

        A group of non-residents filed a federal lawsuit, arguing that the county mandate was a violation of their constitutional rights. Those involved in the suit would be traveling to their home in Dare County from out of the state.

        Even after the county said it would lift its restrictions to those who owned properties in Dare County, attorney Chuck Kitchen said the lawsuit will still continue.

        "While this virus is hitting right now, that doesn't mean it's going to go away forever," Kitchen said. "Everything I'm seeing says, even if its seasonal like a lot of people think it may be, that it could come back next fall and next winter and we're in exactly the same position we're in right now.”

        The county did not comment on the ongoing lawsuit.

        Sam Walker, news director of Jam Media Solutions and resident of Dare County, said he thinks that the real problem is community tension.

        "There is a definite feeling like there is going to be a long-term impact on not only a financial impact, but really just how people get along," he said.

        Visitors will still be restricted access to the county, officials said. Currituck County also decided to allow non-resident property owners to come back to the beaches, starting Thursday.