What does NC’s face mask order mean? How will it be enforced? Answers to questions.
Gov. Roy Cooper extended Phase Two of the state’s reopening plan on Wednesday and instituted a statewide face mask order to help stop the spread of the coronavirus.
Face mask orders have already been in place for the city of Raleigh and Durham and Orange counties.
Here’s what you need to know about North Carolina’s order on face coverings.
What does the statewide mask requirement mean?
Face mask orders have already been in place for the city of Raleigh and Durham and Orange counties, and the statewide order sounds very similar to those.
▪ Masks are required when out in public, particularly when you are not able to maintain a distance from others.
▪ Masks are required by all employees and customers of retail businesses and restaurants, and salons and personal care businesses. Masks are also required for workers in manufacturing, construction, state government agencies, meat processing and agriculture settings, and for those riding public transportation.
When does the statewide order start?
The statewide order starts at 5 p.m. on Friday, June 26.
There is already an order in place for Raleigh and Knightdale, plus Durham and Orange counties.
Are there exceptions to the face mask order?
Yes, people with medical conditions and children under 11 are not required to wear face coverings, and people are not required to wear masks while at home.
Other exceptions allow for people to remove masks while communicating with someone who is hearing impaired, while receiving medical treatment, or while giving a speech for broadcast or to an audience.
You are also not required to wear a mask while riding in a personal vehicle.
Do I need to wear a face mask while exercising outside?
You do not have to wear a face covering while walking or exercising outside, as long as you are not within six feet of others.
How will the face mask order be enforced?
The main responsibility will be on businesses and stores to enforce the use of face coverings.
According to the order, citations can be written to businesses or organizations that fail to enforce the requirement to wear face coverings. Operators of businesses and organizations can rely on their customers statements about whether or not they are exempt from the face covering requirements.
Individuals will not be cited, but if a person refuses to wear a face covering inside a business or organization that is attempting to enforce the order, and if that person enters the premises and refuses to leave, law enforcement may enforce trespassing laws.
What kind of face mask do I have to wear?
You can wear a manufactured face mask or a homemade cloth mask, but it should cover your mouth AND nose.
What if I can’t afford or don’t know how to make a face mask?
Almost any cloth item that can be tied around your mouth and nose can be considered a face covering. You can use scarves, bandannas or neck gaiters if you don’t have a cloth mask. You can even cut up T-shirts, sweatshirts or towels to make a covering that can be tied around your head.
Should I purchase a surgical face mask?
The state does not recommend the general public procure or wear face coverings that are needed by medical professionals for the care of patients.
Why are face masks, coverings required?
Phase Two of North Carolina’s plan to reopen the state’s economy during the COVID-19 pandemic was tentatively scheduled to end Friday, June 26, but was dependent on the state seeing improvements on a combination of metrics, including lab-confirmed cases, positive tests as a percentage of total tests and hospitalizations.
NC Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen said Wednesday that the state is trending in the wrong direction on those metrics. On Wednesday, DHHS reported 906 hospitalizations in the state related to COVID-19, a slight decrease from the 915 total on Tuesday, a one-day high since the pandemic reached the state in early March.
Data from hospitals indicate that the Charlotte, Triangle and Greenville regions are driving the state’s rapid rise in hospitalizations from COVID.
Do I have to remove my face mask for the police?
You must remove your face covering if requested to do so by a law enforcement officer during a traffic stop (including a checkpoint or roadblock), or when a law enforcement officer is conducting a criminal investigation.
What was planned for Phase Three?
Phase Three would have potentially opened bars and gyms, allowed increased capacity at restaurants and other businesses and at houses of worship, would have allowed more people at mass gatherings and would have lessened restrictions on vulnerable populations.
When could Phase Three happen?
Governor Cooper said on Wednesday that the state’s health leaders will continue to watch trends and that he hopes to be able to ease restrictions on playgrounds, museums and gyms on July 17.
What are we allowed to do during Phase Two?
The state moved into Phase Two on May 22. This phase allowed larger gatherings, indoor dining at limited capacity and personal care facilities such as nail and hair salons to open. Bars and gyms were not allowed to open then because of the increased number of cases at that time.
This story was originally published June 24, 2020 at 3:45 PM.
