Charlotte’s mask mandate started Wednesday afternoon. Here are the details.
Charlotte’s new mask mandate took effect Wednesday afternoon and will last at least the rest of the month, officials announced Wednesday morning.
Then on Aug. 28, another slate of mask-wearing rules will start for all of Mecklenburg County, following a Wednesday vote from county commissioners.
Charlotte’s latest proclamation is supported by Mayor Vi Lyles and County Commissioners’ Chairman George Dunlap, meaning the COVID-19 mask rule also applies to unincorporated parts of Mecklenburg.
The mandate is for indoor public spaces, regardless of people’s vaccination status.
Here’s what else we know about the mask mandate:
▪ The mask mandate for Charlotte and unincorporated parts of Mecklenburg took effect at 5 p.m. Wednesday.
▪ The mask requirement is in effect until at least Sept. 1, unless it’s rescinded sooner.
▪ Officials say people in Charlotte and unincorporated parts of Mecklenburg should wear a mask in any “indoor public space... regardless of social distancing and/or your vaccination status.”
▪ Business owners can call 911 to seek Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police assistance if they have customers who refuse to comply with the mask mandate and refuse to leave.
For now, this mask requirement does not apply to Mecklenburg’s six towns. The public health rule that takes effect later this month, however, does apply to all Mecklenburg towns, in addition to Charlotte and unincorporated parts of the county.
Beyond mask-wearing, vaccinations are crucial to getting the pandemic under control, officials said.
“The City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County urge everyone who is eligible to get fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to reduce infection rates and not require additional restrictions,” officials said.
Who’s exempt from the rule?
Children under age 4 do not need to wear a mask inside public places. Other exceptions include:
▪ People who have medical or behavioral health conditions.
▪ People who are actively eating or drinking.
▪ People who are communicating with someone who is hearing-impaired.
▪ People who need to temporarily remove their face coverings for work, based on local, state, federal or employment guidelines.
▪ People who need to operate equipment or vehicle, if the face covering is impeding their vision.
These exceptions are based on the honor system and no documentation is needed.
“Everyone is asked to tell the truth – and if they are healthy and able to wear a Face Covering – to wear a Face Covering so that they do not put other people at risk of serious illness and death,” officials said.
Residents who have questions about Charlotte’s mask mandate can call the Mecklenburg County Public Health COVID-19 hotline at 980-314-9400 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. during the week.
This story was originally published August 18, 2021 at 11:35 AM.
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