GREENSBORO, N.C. — The CDC and White House have both said it's okay for fully vaccinated people to remove their masks indoors or outdoors. North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper is expected to address the state's mask mandate Thursday afternoon.
Harris Teeter, however, will still require masks for now, but the grocery chain is in the process of looking over its current health policies, company representatives said.
"We are reviewing current safety practices, the CDC’s latest guidance, and soliciting feedback from our valued associates to guide the next phase of our policy," Harris Teeter representatives said.
The situation may be complicated for local businesses too.
Two Greensboro business owners said regardless of any new recommendations, they're reluctant to take their 'masks required' signs down.
Anthony Knotts owns Seafood Destiny restaurant and said he also thinks it would be hard to monitor customers.
"Are we going to do it like alcohol where you check them at the door? I think that could be a problem because that could cause some confrontation with people," Knotts said.
The CDC said vaccinated people do not need masks indoors or out in most cases but unvaccinated people still do.
"It's a huge milestone. This is a great day, great news, it's been a long time coming," Wake Forest Baptist Health Infectious Disease Expert Dr. John Sanders said.
He said the CDC changed their guidelines because more and more data shows the vaccine prevents coronavirus and stops the spread too.