Mask Mandate Passes In Mecklenburg: List Of Exemptions

CHARLOTTE, NC — Mask requirements for indoor spaces are officially back in Mecklenburg County. The Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners voted Wednesday afternoon to reinstate a public health rule requiring face coverings in indoor public places, as a similar mandate instituted by the City of Charlotte went into effect Wednesday evening.

“We need to slow the viral transmission and community spread as much as possible,” Mecklenburg Public Health Director Gibbie Harris said in a statement. “Face coverings slow the spread.”

Mecklenburg County remains in the "red" zone, with COVID-19 cases jumping 87 percent in the last two weeks, Harris said during a news conference Monday.

Earlier this week, the Mecklenburg County COVID-19 Policy Group recommended that county leaders adopt a mask mandate as the number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continues to rise throughout the Charlotte metro region. Commissioners affirmed that recommendation by vote Wednesday.

SEE ALSO: Mecklenburg Commissioners To Vote On Countywide Mask Mandate

The countywide mask mandate applies to any indoor public place, business or establishment in Mecklenburg, regardless of vaccination status. It goes into effect Saturday, Aug. 28, and is in addition to the City of Charlotte's mask mandate that goes into effect Aug. 18 at 5 p.m.

Under the new rule, masks will stay on as long as COVID-19 case numbers stay high.

"The rule will expire based on metrics — a decline in the positivity rate to 5 percent for thirty (30) days where the community transmission rate is not in the high or substantial level, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention," the county said. "If the transmission in the County drops below the substantial level, the Public Health Director will recommend that the rule be suspended."

The new county mandate does include exemptions, such as during religious gatherings, funerals, weddings and activities that are an exercise of First Amendment rights.

Other exemptions include:

• Anyone who should not wear a face covering due to any medical or behavioral condition or disability (including, but not limited to, any person who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious or incapacitated, or is otherwise unable to put on or remove the face covering without assistance).
• Children under five years of age.
• When actively eating or drinking.
• When seeking to communicate with someone who is hearing-impaired in a way that requires the mouth to be visible.
• When giving a speech or performance for a broadcast, or to an audience, where they maintain a distance of at least 20 feet from the audience.
• When working at home or in a personal vehicle.
• When temporarily removing their face covering for identification purposes to secure government or medical services.
• During at-risk situations from wearing a face covering at work, as determined by local, state, or federal regulations or workplace safety guidelines.
• In situations where a face covering is impeding visibility to operate equipment or a vehicle.
• When a child whose parent, guardian, or responsible person has been unable to place the face covering safely on the child's face.
• When alone in an enclosed space, such as a room, office or vehicle.
• In settings where it is not practical or feasible to wear a face covering, including when obtaining or rendering goods or services, such as the receipt of dental services or while swimming.

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