Mecklenburg County may lift its mask mandate soon. Will businesses still require them?
The Charlotte Observer Service Journalism desk is committed to providing answers to questions that matter to you and your community. In this space, reader-submitted inquiries -- such as the one below -- will be investigated each day by our team of reporters.
COVID-19 infections in Mecklenburg County are dropping, which could mean an end to the local mask mandate in the near future.
Over the last week, the 7-day average positivity rate locally has dropped from 27.6% to 20.8%, county health data show. In early January, that number was around 32%.
Mecklenburg County Health Director Raynard Washington on Tuesday said he will recommend ending the mandate next week if the trend continues.
On the same day, Charlotte-Mecklenburg school board members voted to keep the district’s mask policy in place – but some parents pushed the board to examine the policy further.
If Mecklenburg County commissioners decide to end the mandate – a move they say will not happen without the recommendation of public health officials – some businesses could be impacted.
Can businesses require masks if the county mandate ends?
An executive order issued in May of last year allows private businesses in North Carolina to continue to require face coverings after the statewide mask mandate ended.
Since businesses are considered private property, owners have the right to demand that customers wear masks. Failing to abide by a business mask requirement could result in criminal trespassing charges.
Atrium Health will still require masks in all health care settings if the mandate is lifted, a spokesperson for the company told the Observer in an emailed statement.
“Although COVID cases and hospitalizations have decreased and are trending down, we are still seeing high levels of positivity in the community, and hospitals are still very full with those still suffering from COVID-19 or the effects of the virus,” the statement read. “People in our community who are at higher risk, such as immunocompromised patients, should continue masking, whether mandated or not, for additional protection against COVID-19.”
Some businesses, such as the Blumenthal Performing Arts, are waiting to hear from health officials before they adjust their mask protocols. Blumenthal currently requires guests to wear masks at all of its venues.
“Throughout all of this, we have very carefully followed health guidance from officials, so we’re going to be watching carefully to see what the recommendation is,” Blumenthal Performing Arts CEO Tom Gabbard said. “Once we hear what their plans are, we will adjust our plans accordingly.”
How often can you reuse N95 or KN95 masks?
N95 masks can be safe to use more than once, depending on their condition, Michael G. Knight, an assistant professor of medicine at George Washington University, told the Washington Post.
“If I’m just putting a mask on to go to the grocery store for 45 minutes and I’m taking it off, that mask very well should be able to last me a couple of days,” Knight said.
According to Knight, if your mask has a cut or tear, is severely soiled from sweat or moisture, or no longer fits properly, you should replace it with a new one.
Observer reporter Will Wright contributed to this story.
