June 24. Gov. Roy Cooper, while extending Phase 2 reopening another three weeks, also issued an Executive Order that says people must wear face coverings in public places, indoor or outdoor, where physical distancing of six feet from other people who are not members of the same household or residence is not possible.  This does not apply while inside your residence or the personal residence of another person. Face coverings may be removed to participate in a religious ritual, such as communion. Children under 2 should not wear them.

The settings include:

• Inside of, or in line to enter, any indoor public space, including public schools;

• Waiting for or riding on public and private multi person transportation, including but not limited to buses, taxis, ride sharing, private care service, vans;

• Engaged in work, whether at the workplace or performing work off-site, when they are or may be within six feet of other people, including working in or walking through common areas, such as lobbies, hallways, stairways, elevators, and parking facilities;

• Obtaining services in a healthcare setting;

• While outdoors in public spaces when maintaining a physical distance of 6 feet from persons whoare not members of the same household or residence is not feasible.

There are exceptions.

Face coverings do not need to be worn by an individual, worker, customer, or patron who:

1. Has a medical or behavioral condition or disability and cannot wear a face covering
(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);
2. Is under 11 years of age;
3. Is actively eating or drinking;
4. Is strenuously exercising or swimming;
5. Is seeking to communicate with someone who is hearing-impaired in a way that requires the
mouth to be visible;
6. Is giving a speech for a broadcast or to an audience;
7. Is working at home or alone in a vehicle;
8. Is temporarily removing his or her Face Covering to secure government or medical services
or for identification purposes;
9. Would be at risk from wearing a Face Covering at work, as determined by local, state, or
federal regulators or workplace safety guidelines;
10. Has found that his or her Face Covering is impeding visibility to operate equipment or a
vehicle; or
11. Is a child whose parent, guardian, or responsible person has been unable to place the Face
Covering safely on the child’s face.