At least a third of North Carolinians have a mask mandate again. Here’s where to mask up.
Updated: This story was updated Aug. 25, to reflect new mandates across North Carolina.
As the delta variant of the coronavirus fuels another surge in cases and hospitalizations across North Carolina, some highly populated counties and municipalities are bringing back indoor mask mandates.
At least 35% of the state’s population lives in places under a mask mandate as of Aug. 25, a News & Observer analysis found.
In recent weeks, Winston-Salem, Fayetteville, Cumberland County, Mecklenburg County and New Hanover County have joined Triangle municipalities in calling for masks in all indoor places.
In the Triangle, Durham County and the City of Durham requires everyone 5 and older to wear a mask inside public spaces, including businesses.
Orange County, along with Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Hillsborough, reinstated an indoor mask mandate for anyone 2 years and older.
Wake County’s order went into effect Aug. 20, applying to roughly 192,000 Wake residents living in the county’s unincorporated areas, according to county spokesperson Stacy Beard. The towns of Garner, Knightdale, Morrisville, Rolesville and Zebulon joined Wake’s order as well. In total, the county’s order applies to around 83% of its population.
Raleigh’s mask mandate for indoor public spaces within city limits went into effect at 5 p.m. on Aug. 13. Cary added its own mandate, effective Aug. 18.
“The number of COVID-19 cases continues to increase in our community and across the state at an alarming rate,” Raleigh Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin said in a news release. “The idea that we can hope COVID-19 will just go away on its own is not a reality. It’s time to take responsible action and today we are taking an important step to make sure the people of this community, and those who visit us, remain healthy and safe.”
Other counties that are highly populated or have high levels of community transmission also have announced the return of indoor mask mandates, including Guilford, Buncombe, Meckenburg, Cumberland and New Hanover counties.
The City of Charlotte started a mask order Aug. 18, as did unincorporated parts of Mecklenburg County, through the end of the month, The Charlotte Observer reported. On Aug. 31, new mask-wearing rules will take effect for all towns and cities in Mecklenburg County.
Buncombe County approved a mandate on Aug. 18 for all public indoor facilities in unincorporated areas, The Asheville Citizen-Times reported. Joining the county’s order were Asheville, Weaverville, Woodfin and Montreat, The Citizen-Times reported. The town of Black Mountain later aligned itself with Buncombe’s order, issuing its own mask mandate which went into effect on Aug. 21, WLOS reported.
Gov. Roy Cooper has indicated he would not be reinstating a statewide mask mandate or other COVID-19 capacity protocols, instead focusing on helping more people get vaccinated, The N&O reported.
The News & Observer is tracking jurisdictions across the state that are returning to indoor mask mandates. Check back here for updates as more counties or municipalities mandate indoor masking.
NC counties requiring masks indoors
▪ Buncombe County (only applies to unincorporated areas)
▪ Cumberland County (Goes into effect Aug. 27 at 5 p.m.)
▪ Durham County (including the City of Durham)
▪ Guilford County (includes Greensboro)
▪ Mecklenburg County (An order is in effect for Charlotte and unincorporated parts of the county through Sept. 1. On Aug. 31, a countywide order will take effect for anyone over 5 in all county towns and Charlotte.)
▪ New Hanover County
▪ Orange County (including Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Hillsborough)
▪ Wake County (only applies to unincorporated areas)
NC municipalities requiring masks in all indoor public places
▪ Asheville (Buncombe County)
▪ Black Mountain (Buncombe County)
▪ Blowing Rock (effective Aug. 27)
▪ Boone (Watauga County)
▪ Cary
▪ Charlotte (in effect through Sept. 1, Mecklenburg County order will take effect Aug. 31)
▪ Davidson (in effect until Mecklenburg County order takes effect Aug. 31)
▪ Fayetteville (Cumberland County)
▪ Garner
▪ Knightdale
▪ Matthews (in effect until Mecklenburg County order takes effect Aug. 31)
▪ Montreat (Buncombe County)
▪ Morrisville
▪ Raleigh
▪ Rolesville
▪ Weaverville (Buncombe County)
▪ Winston-Salem
▪ Woodfin (Buncombe County)
▪ Zebulon
This story will be updated to include additional jurisdictions that announce indoor mask mandates.
This story was originally published August 13, 2021 at 3:16 PM with the headline "At least a third of North Carolinians have a mask mandate again. Here’s where to mask up.."
