Orange County joins Durham in requiring masks to be worn in public

With few exceptions, Orange County will require that people over 12 years old wear masks in stores, restaurants and on public transportation.

Posted 3:17 p.m. Jun 10, 2020 — Updated 9:45 p.m. Jun 10, 2020

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — With coronavirus hospitalizations reaching a new daily high in North Carolina, Orange County announced it would require people to wear face masks. Customers and employees entering any store or restaurant are required to wear a face mask starting Friday. This requirement will be in effect until Aug. 31, the county said in a statement.

Anyone "in an indoor or outdoor situation" who can't maintain a 6-foot distance from another person is required to wear a mask.

If someone is driving or riding public transportation, they also have to wear a mask.

On the same day, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill laid out plans for the fall semester that make mask mandatory on campus. Students could risk an honor code violation if they are caught without a mask.

UNC-Chapel Hill school leaders say they will require face masks on campus

North Carolina's coronavirus metrics have been on the rise in recent days, even as Gov. Roy Cooper faces increased pressure to reopen more businesses. Cases of coronavirus and hospitalizations are of such concern that the White House called North Carolina Secretary of Health and Human Services Dr. Mandy Cohen to warn her of specific worries about outbreaks in Mecklenburg, Durham, Wake, Forsyth, Lee, Alamance, Duplin and Johnston counties.

"I continue to be concerned," Cohen said. "Many of our neighbors in the southeast are seeing similar trends."

North Carolina Coronavirus dashboard - Maps, charts and data

"Until there is a vaccine for COVID-19, face coverings are a part of our new normal," Orange County Health Director Quintana Stewart said. "We know it will take some time to get used to, but it will help save lives."

Cindy Somasundram, owner of Blue Spoon in Chapel Hill, said the mask requirement is a necessary inconvenience.

“I think people are getting used to it," she said. "It’s annoying. I’m not happy about wearing it, but we do it to keep people safe.

There are some exceptions:

People whose religious beliefs prevent them from wearing a face mask do not have to wear one.
Those who cannot wear a face covering due to a medical condition or behavior do not have to wear one.
Children under 12 years old are not required to wear masks.
If you are in a private office, you are not required to wear a mask.
If you are complying with directions of law enforcement officers, you can take off your mask.
In a setting where it is "not practical or feasible to wear a face covering when obtaining or rendering goods or services."
At your home, masks are not required by Orange County.

Durham County also has a similar order in place.

As of June 10, there are 408 cases of the coronavirus in Orange County. Forty people have died in the county with the virus. Its neighbors – Alamance, Chatham and Durham counties – all have more cases of the virus.

Orange County's website has instructions for residents on how to make their own face masks in case they don't have one.

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