Orange County keeps stricter mask requirement as NC enters Phase Two of reopening

Orange County will have some stricter rules than the state as North Carolina moves to Phase Two of reopening Friday evening.

The county’s emergency declaration, announced Thursday, mostly differs from North Carolina’s “Safer at Home” order when it comes to face coverings and restaurants.

Gov. Roy Cooper’s order lifts many of the requirements in place since late March to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

Restaurant dining rooms may reopen at half of their fire-code capacity. Personal care, grooming, tattoo shops, and swimming pools may open with capacity, social-distancing and cleaning requirements.

Orange County has some stricter rules in its Phase Two provisions. The county of about 148,000 residents had reported 291 coronavirus cases and 39 COVID-19 deaths as of May 21, according to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services. Many of those cases have come from nursing homes, but health officials say the number of confirmed cases doesn’t reflect the virus’ full impact because not everyone is tested.

“Even as we open, people should be wearing face coverings, staying 6 feet apart from others, and continuing to wash their hands frequently,” said Penny Rich, the chair of the Orange County Board of Commissioners, in a news release.. “These are keys to our success moving forward.”

Durham city and county officials also will keep some stricter stay-at-home restrictions in place through June 1, The News & Observer reported. They plan to announce details of their amended order Friday.

Orange County vs. NC differences

Here are the main differences between the Orange County and state orders, according to a news release.

▪ Orange County recommends all businesses require customers to wear masks. The state does not require customers to wear masks in public or in businesses, but “it is strongly, strongly recommended,” said Dr. Mandy Cohen, secretary of N.C. Health and Human Services, at a Thursday press conference.

▪ Orange County is requiring employees at restaurants, retail stores, personal care, grooming and tattoo shops to wear masks while on duty, according to the news release.

The state’s order says restaurant employees are “strongly encouraged” to wear face coverings, and Cohen clarified Thursday that employees at personal care, grooming and tattoo shops are required to wear the face coverings. She did not mention retail stores.

In Orange County and the state, the mask requirement doesn’t apply to people 12 years old and younger and those who can’t cover their face because of a religious belief or a medical or behavior condition.

▪ In restaurants, the state says up to 10 people may sit at the same table. Orange County is limiting the number of people sharing the same table to six people, unless they are part of the same household.

In both Orange County and the state, indoor meetings are limited to 10 people, except for religious gatherings, weddings and funerals. The Orange County order clarifies the 10-person limit also applies to elected and appointed boards and commissions.

With the North Carolina order, bars, bowling alleys, movie theaters, gyms, museums and nightclubs will remain closed.

“The best defense against this virus, until there is a vaccine, is physical distance from other people,” said Orange County Health Director Quintana Stewart, in the news release. “We know those who are infected do not always show symptoms, so we must all be vigilant.”