MECKLENBURG COUNTY, N.C. — North Carolina has been under a statewide mask mandate since 5 p.m. June 26, but now parts of Mecklenburg County will be adopting additional requirements.
Under the statewide mandate, masks required in public places, like restaurants, supermarkets and stores. There are exceptions — for example, people are allowed to remove their face masks while sitting down to eat at a restaurant.
Additionally, children under 11, people with medical conditions that make breathing difficult, people who are exercising, and anyone who is socially-distanced from other people are not required under the statewide mandate to wear a mask.
Following a unanimous vote Tuesday evening, a "face covering" or mask should be worn inside county, city or town-owned or leased buildings and facilities by customers, employees and more in Charlotte and Matthews.
Other towns within Mecklenburg County declined to take part.
Davidson, however, does have a requirement in place for those entering town buildings, and town officials are distributing masks to those who need them. However, Davidson Assistant Town Manager Karen Whichard says town facilities are closed down to the general public under Phase 2 regardless.
Masks will also be required for anyone in Charlotte and Matthews in indoor or outdoor situations where CDC-recommended social distance can't be maintained in the county — including in Mecklenburg County parks.
Mecklenburg County, the City of Charlotte and the Town of Matthews issued a joint proclamation after the vote, clarifying exceptions to the mandate.
In addition to the original exceptions to the statewide mandate, the following exceptions were added: staff in private offices, those complying with law enforcement directions, in settings where it's not practical or feasible to wear a mask while "obtaining or rendering goods or services," or to family or household members.
Multiple sheriffs in the Charlotte area, including Catawba County and Iredell County, have previously said they won't be able to effectively enforce the mandate, so it's up to businesses to require customers to wear masks.