The Governor of North Carolina has just issued a new executive order that now requires everyone in the State of North Carolina to wear a face mask in public, in addition to extending all current restrictions under Phase 2 of the reopening plan for at least another 3 weeks.
Right now, the data is showing that we need to hit the pause button on reopening. But if we all work together and wear face coverings, we can protect our loved ones and get our trends back in the right direction to restore our economy and beat this virus. https://t.co/iW0MuUYGQ8 pic.twitter.com/zOvvELNJmr
— Governor Roy Cooper (@NC_Governor) June 24, 2020
The new order comes amid a continued rise in COVID-19 related cases, hospitalizations, and deaths:
According to Executive Order 147,
New Requirements to Wear Face Coverings.
- “Face Covering” is defined as:
- A covering of the nose and mouth that is secured
to the head with ties, straps, or loops over the ears or is simply wrapped around the
lower face. A Face Covering can be made of a variety of synthetic and natural fabrics,
including cotton, silk, or linen. Ideally, a Face Covering has two (2) or more layers. A
Face Covering may be factory-made, sewn by hand, or can be improvised from
household items such as scarfs, bandanas, t-shirts, sweatshirts, or towels. These Face
Coverings are not intended for use by healthcare providers in the care of patients.
“Surgical Mask” means American Society for Testing and Materials (“ASTM”) Level
1, 2, or 3 approved procedural and surgical masks. An N95 respirator approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (“NIOSH”) ( or a respirator from another country allowed by the Occupational Safety & Health Administration, the Food & Drug Administration, or the CDC) is not recommended for general public use or use in public settings, as it should be reserved for healthcare providers and other medical first responders in a health care setting. However, ifworn, these respirators would meet both the Face Covering and Surgical Mask requirements of this Executive Order. A face shield that covers the nose and mouth also meets the Face Covering requirements of this Executive Order.
- A covering of the nose and mouth that is secured
Face Coverings are required in the following settings, whether they are inside or outside.
- In Retail Businesses. Retail Businesses must have all workers wear Face
Coverings when they are or may be within six ( 6) feet of another person. In
addition, Retail Businesses must have all customers wear Face Coverings when
they are inside the establishment and may be within ( 6) feet of another person,
unless the customer states that an exception applies. - In Restaurants. Restaurants must have all workers wear Face Coverings when
they are or may be within six ( 6) feet of another person. In addition, restaurants
must have all customers wear Face Coverings when not at their table, unless the
customer states that an exception applies. - In Personal Care, Grooming, and Tattoo Businesses. Personal Care,
Grooming, and Tattoo Businesses must have workers wear Face Coverings
when they are or may be within six ( 6) feet of another person. In addition, the
business must have all customers wear Face Coverings when they are inside the
establishment and may be within six (6) feet of another person, unless the
customer states that an exception applies. Customers may take off their Face
Coverings ifthey are receiving a facial treatment, shave, or other services on a
part ofthe head which the Face Covering covers or by which the Face Covering
is secured. - In Child Care Facilities, Day Camps, and Overnight Camps. Child care
facilities, day camps, and overnight camps must have workers, all other adults,
and children eleven (11) years or older on site wear Face Coverings when they
are or may be within six ( 6) feet of another person. - In State Government. State government agencies headed by members of the
Governor’s Cabinet must have their on-site workers wear Face Coverings when
they are or may be within six (6) feet of another person. Public-facing
operations of state government agencies under the jurisdiction of the
undersigned must also follow the requirements for Retail Businesses
established in this Executive Order.
All other state and local government agencies are strongly encouraged to adopt
similar policies that require Face Coverings. - In Transportation. All workers and riders on public or private transportation
regulated by the State ofNorth Carolina, as well as all people in North Carolina
airports, bus and train stations or stops, must wear Face Coverings when they
are or may be within six ( 6) feet of another person. This provision does not
apply to people traveling alone with household members or friends in their
personal vehicles, but does apply to ride-shares, cabs, vans, and shuttles, even
ifthe vehicles are privately owned.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no customer will be removed from or denied
entry to public transportation for failure to wear a Face Covering. - In Certain High-Density Occupational Settings Where Social Distancing is
Difficult. Social distancing is inherently difficult where multiple workers are
together in manufacturing settings, at construction sites, and in migrant farm,
other farm, and agricultural settings. Therefore, in businesses or operations
within North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) sectors 311 to
339 (manufacturing), 236 to 238 (construction), and 111, 112, 1151, and 1152
(agriculture), all workers must wear Face Coverings when they are or may be
within six ( 6) feet of another person. - In Meat or Poultry Processing Plants. All workers in any meat or poultry
processing plant, packing plant, or slaughterhouse must wear Face Coverings
when they are or may be within six (6) feet of another person, and those Face
Coverings must be Surgical Masks, as long as Surgical Mask supplies are
available. - Long Term Care Facilities. All workers in Long Term Care (“LTC”)
Facilities, including skilled nursing facilities (“SNF”), adult care homes
(“ACH”), family care homes (“FCH”), mental health group homes, and
intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities
(“ICF-IID”), must wear Face Coverings while in the facility, and those Face
Coverings must be Surgical Masks, as long as Surgical Mask supplies are
available. - Other Health Care Settings. Health care facilities other than L TC facilities
must follow the Face Covering requirements in the CDC Infection Control
Guidance for Healthcare Professionals about Coronavirus (COVID-19).
- In Retail Businesses. Retail Businesses must have all workers wear Face
“As the leader of the state’s largest health system, I am pro-health and also 100 percent pro-business. In fact, the two are inextricably connected and I’m very proud of the way business leaders and health experts are working together to keep our economy strong,” said Eugene A. Woods, President and CEO of Atrium Health. “Medical science says to reduce the spread of COVID-19 masking works, and my sincere hope is that all the people of North Carolina can join forces to make wearing a mask not something we feel we have to do – but something that we want to do to keep each other, our neighbors, our children and our loved ones healthy and safe”
Businesses can download templates for signs on face coverings here.
You can read Executive Order No. 147 here.
You can also read Frequently Asked Questions about the order here.
What do you think about the new order?