Mecklenburg to vote on new mask mandate Wednesday. Here’s what’s in it

All of Mecklenburg County residents will likely need to comply with an indoor mask mandate by the end of the month. It’s a decision county commissioners will be voting on Wednesday afternoon.

The return of coronavirus-related restrictions comes as the Charlotte area grapples with skyrocketing infection and hospitalization rates amid the highly transmissible delta variant.

For now, Mecklenburg County Public Health Director Gibbie Harris said only a mask mandate is on the table.

The mask mandate that commissioners are voting on applies to unincorporated parts of Mecklenburg, Charlotte, Cornelius, Davidson, Huntersville, Pineville, Matthews and Mint Hill, according to the meeting agenda.

Law enforcement officers have the authority to enforce the mask mandate. People who do not comply with the rule may convicted of a misdemeanor.

Harris can also issue a an order of imminent hazard if necessary. Mecklenburg towns can choose to steepen their enforcement tactics.

Meeting logistics

County commissioners will vote on reinstating the mask mandate, based on the health director’s recommendation, during a special meeting at 3 p.m. Wednesday. Commissioners will also hear public comment.

The meeting is at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center chamber, where masks are now required based on a new city policy. The meeting will be live-streamed at https://mecklenburg.ravnur.com/.

Commissioners are voting on what’s known as a “public health rule,” which County Manager Dena Diorio said on Monday is still being drafted. If approved, the rule would take 10 days to go into effect.

It will expire under these criteria:

▪ The positivity rate for COVID-19 tests has declined to 5% for 30 days.

▪ The local state of emergency expires or is terminated.

▪ Commissioners modify the mask rule.

Charlotte mask mandate

As an interim solution, Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles instituting a mask mandate that takes effect Wednesday afternoon. The action is through a partnership with County Commissioners’ Chairman George Dunlap, meaning that mask mandate also applies to unincorporated parts of Mecklenburg.

Last week, Lyles had stopped short of issuing a city order, emphasizing the need for regional collaboration — and the lack of a recommendation from Harris.

A broad vaccine mandate for the Charlotte community is not under consideration, despite officials repeatedly pleading for more residents to get their COVID shots.

As of Tuesday morning, just half of Mecklenburg residents are fully vaccinated, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reported.

This story was originally published August 18, 2021 at 6:40 AM.