Outer Banks Times

While it may not be a sign of the apocalypse, the idea that smuggling people into the Outer Banks is on the table indicates society is living in strange times.

An ad on Craiglist caught the attention of the Kitty Hawk Police Department on March 31.

The ad creator offered to bring people to the closed-off Outer Banks from Virginia Beach. The Outer Banks have been closed since March to outsiders after the federal government recommended against groups of 10 or more congregating in response to slowing the spread of COVID-19.

“Well, we have truly moved beyond the absurd and ridiculous," the Kitty Hawk Police Department posted March 31 on its Facebook page. "We have researched it and yes this appears to be a valid post on Craigslist.”

The department said it even received a response to a price quote.

The Herald-Sun reported the post advertised rides in both directions along the roughly 85-mile route. The post was removed.

As it turned out, the individual was trying to have a little fun. The department followed up with another post, which said the ad creator contacted officers to apologize and that it was a joke. 

Needless to say, the department was not impressed.

“We told the person that we thought it was a really stupid idea,” the department posted.

Dare County encompasses most of the Outer Banks. It is only accessible to residents who show a valid North Carolina Driver’s license or a government-issued ID with a local address beyond local police checkpoints, McClatchey News reported.

As of April 7, the North Carolina Department of Health reported 3,221 positive cases and 46 deaths throughout 90 counties. A total of 271 patients are hospitalized. There has been one report of the virus in Dare County.

"Let's not make it any more dangerous for those hard-working law enforcement officers at the checkpoints. Not to mention everyone else's safety and health," the department posted. "Common sense is a valuable gift during this trying time."