As COVID-19 cases rise, mask mandate returns in Durham
LOCAL NEWS.
THIS IS WRAL, COVERAGE YOU CAN
COUNT ON.
>> DURHAM IS ISSUING A NEW
STATE OF EMERGENCY.
GOOD EVENING, I'M JULIAN GRACE.
IT WILL GO INTO EFFECT 5:00
MONDAY.
THE ORDER WILL REQUIRE ALL
DURHAM RESIDENTS TO WEAR A MASK
WHETHER VACCINATED OR NOT.
AARON IS LIVE WITH HOW BUSINESS
OWNERS ARE RESPONDING.
>> Reporter: CUSTOMERS IN TOWN
HAVE GOTTEN USED TO THESE SIGNS
IN STORE FRONTS EITHER
REQUIRING OR ENCOURAGING THEM
TO WEAR FACE COVERINGS INDOORS.
CUSTOMERS AND BUSINESS OWNERS
SEE IT AS ONE EXTRA STEP TO
KEEP EVERYONE SAFE.
A NEW STATE OF EMERGENCY IN THE
STATE AND COUNTY CALLS FOR FACE
COVERINGS TO BE WORN IN ANY
INDOOR BUSINESS, PUBLIC PLACE,
OR ESTABLISHMENT.
>> I THINK IT IS A GREAT IDEA.
I 100% SUPPORT IT.
WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE VIRUS IS
DOING.
AND, WE ARE NOW BACK WHERE WE
WERE.
>> Reporter: AT EXOTIC CLOTHING
STORE, MANAGER HAKEEM TELLS ME
THE NEW GUIDANCE DOESN'T IMPACT
HIS BUSINESS MUCH.
>> I NEVER TOOK DOWN THE SIGN
FOR THE MASKS.
SO, IT IS ALWAYS GOOD IF
SOMEBODY HAS A COLD OR A COUGH.
>> Reporter: OVER THE PAST
MONTH, THE PERCENT POSITIVE
RATE OF INFECTIONS IN DURHAM
COUNTY HAS DOUBLED FROM 2.3% TO
4.6%.
THESE STATISTICS PROMPTED CITY
OFFICIALS TO TAKE ACTION.
>> THIS IS THE DIRECTION WE
CERTAINLY DID NOT HAVE TO MOVE
IN.
>> Reporter: MARK ANTHONY
MIDDLETON SAYS DECLARING A
STATE OF EMERGENCY IS MEANT O
ADDRESS THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE
EVER CHANGING PANDEMIC.
>> WE ARE NOT OUT OF THE WOODS
YET.
WE ARE BETTER OFF THAN BEFORE,
BUT NOT OUT OF THE WOODS YET.
>> Reporter: HARWOOD SAYS SHE
WILL DO WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE
TO KEEP HER AND HER FAMILY
SAFE.
>> PUTTING A MASK ON IS THE
LEAST YOU CAN DO.
>> Reporter: NOW, I ASKED HOW
COUNCILMAN MIDDLETON HOW THIS
MASK MANDATE WILL BE ENFORCED.
THE CITY DOESN'T WANT TO FIND
PEOPLE OR ARREST PEOPLE, BUT
RATHER HAVE BUSINESS OWNERS AND
FELLOW DURHAMITES LOOK OUT FOR
ONE ANOTHER AND ENCOURAGE THEM
TO WEAR A MASK.
>> THAT'S A GOOD MESSAGE TO