Masks required again in Raleigh starting Friday night
The city of Raleigh is mandating face masks for everyone starting on Friday at 5p.m.
The new mandate would be enforced heavily through education and not law enforcement, according to Raleigh Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin.
Everyone, including those who have already got their shot, will be required to wear masks indoors in public, city officials said. That includes restaurants, bars, shops and government buildings.
“We’ve got to protect the public. It’s that simple," Baldwin said.
People must wear masks inside restaurants unless they are actively eating or drinking.
The city is also "strongly recommending" that people mask up in outdoor spaces when social distancing is not possible.
YMCA of the Triangle sent an alert out on Friday afternoon, notifying residents that all people ages 5 and older must wear a mask.
All city of Raleigh employees will be required to show proof of vaccination on Sept. 17. City employees who get their shot by Sept. 17 will receive a check of $250 and two days of bonus leave.
Anyone who does not get their shot by that date will have to undergo weekly testing.
Delta coronavirus rapidly spreading across NC
On Friday, the state reported more than 6,600 coronavirus cases were identified in the past 24 hours. That's more than all the permanent residents of Carolina Beach or nearly the entire population of Zebulon.
Friday's case count is the highest its been since late January, according to WRAL Data Trackers.
Cases are up 47% compared to a week ago, and more than 1,000% compared to a month ago.
Nearly a fourth of all cases reported in the first week of August are among children, state data shows. The majority of those case are among those 5 to 14 years old.
Hospitalizations across the state have been rising for 35 days straight. As a result, only 13% of all ICU beds and 20% of regular hospital beds in North Carolina are available.
Coronavirus deaths are inching back upward — an average of 13 people are dying each day from COVID-19 in North Carolina.
County-wide mask mandate
Wake County officials are also planning on issuing a mask mandate, but is still working to finalize the effective date.
Wake County had more than 3,000 COVID-19 cases in the first eight days of August, according to a presentation by Dr. Nicole Mushonga, the Associate Medical Director with Wake County Human Services.
Matt Calabria, chair of the Wake County Board of Commissioners, said that the mask mandate is beneficial to consumers and families, to ensure they are safe when entering places of business.
"We’ve got to hit it hard now because winter is coming, it’s going to get cold, there may be other variants that pop up …. The better footing we put ourselves in now the better we will be off in the long run," he said.
There's also been a nearly 1,000% increase in cases from the first week of June through the first week of August in Wake County. Hospitalizations increased by 123% over the last 14 days in the county.
Holly Springs Mayor Dick Sears told WRAL News that while he doesn't want to have a mask mandate, it's necessary until the county could get its coronavirus cases down.
North Carolina's state mask mandate expired on July 30, as WRAL News previously reported. In the meantime, some of North Carolina's most-vaccinated counties are instituting their own rules.
“Nobody wants to do this but it’s ultimately necessary to make sure we are able to get out of this pandemic as quickly as possible," Calabria said.
Venues, events requiring vaccination, masks
Search for businesses in your area
Name | Type | Address | Requirement |
---|---|---|---|
Players Retreat | restaurant and bar | 105 Oberlin Rd, Raleigh, NC 27605 | only vaccinated guests allowed inside (started June 23) |
Motorco Music Hall | music venue | 723 Rigsbee Ave, Durham, NC 27701 | vaccination proof required for all attendees of scheduled shows. Temperature checks will also be done at the door and masks must be worn at all times except when eating and drinking. (started August 10) |
Rue Cler | restaurant and bar | 401 E Chapel Hill St, Durham, NC 27701 | Proof of vaccination required for all guests dining inside. Children ages 12 and younger will be exempt from the vaccination requirement but must wear masks (Aug. 10) |
Kingfisher | restaurant and bar | 321 E Chapel Hill St, Durham, NC 27701 | Proof of vaccination required to enter Kingfisher. Outdoor seating remains open. (Starting Aug. 17) |
Pizzeria Mercato | restaurant and bar | 408 W Weaver St, Carrboro, NC 27510 | Proof of vaccination required for all dine-in guests (starting Aug. 12) |
Town Hall Burger and Beer | restaurant and bar | 7830 N Carolina 751 Suite 100, Durham, NC 27713 | masks must be worn inside when not eating and drinking (started August 12) |
Haw River Ballroom | music venue | 1711 Saxapahaw-Bethlehem Church Rd, Graham, NC 27253 | All concerts and events at Haw River Ballroom will require proof of a full course of COVID-19 vaccination and masks will be required to be worn properly while inside the venue except when drinking (and we will be providing compostable bent straws for those who want to drink with masks on.) All patrons must have a completed COVID-19 vaccination card, with their final dose at least fourteen days prior to the event. |
The Pour House Music Hall & Record Shop | music venue | 224 S Blount St, Raleigh, NC 27601 | Proof of vaccination (14 days after your final shot) or a negative covid test within 72 hours of the show will be required for entry. Your physical card or a picture of your vaccine card on your phone will be accepted. In addition, masks will be required at all times while not actively drinking at a show or while shopping in our record store. (Starting Aug. 13) |
Hunky Dory | restaurant and bar | 718 9th St, Durham, NC 27705 | To drink inside guests must show proof of COVID-19 vaccination. Anyone who isn’t vaccinated or doesn’t want to show their card is welcome to shop (with a mask, per Durham ordinances) or sit outside. |
Yonder | restaurant and bar | 114 W King St, Hillsborough, NC 27278 | Masks are now required inside in Orange County. We do provide outdoor seating both in front and in back of the cocktail lounge. Unvaccinated people are no longer welcome. Please be prepared to show your vaccination card before entry. |
Pizzeria Toro | restaurant and bar | 105 E Chapel Hill St, Durham, NC 27701 | As of Aug. 18, guests over the age of 12 will be required to show proof of vaccination in order to enter the restaurant. All guests will be required to wear masks upon entering and moving about the restaurant. Online ordering and curbside service is available for those not wanting to dine in. |
Jack Tar and The Colonel’s Daughter | restaurant and bar | 202 Corcoran St #3210, Durham, NC 27701 | As of Aug. 18, guests over the age of 12 will be required to show proof of vaccination in order to enter the restaurant. All guests will be required to wear masks upon entering and moving about the restaurant. Online ordering and curbside service is available for those not wanting to dine in. |
Ruby Deluxe | bar and music venue | 415 S Salisbury St, Raleigh, NC 27601 | Guests must wear your mask at all times when inside. Proof of vaccination is now required for all events. A picture of your vaccination card works just fine or visit gogetvax.com and upload a photo to your apple wallet. |
Plum | restaurant and bar | 501 Washington St, Durham | Beginning Sept. 3, we ask that all guests reserving tables or eating inside show proof of vaccination or negative results of a Covid test within the past 72 hours. Seats outside are open to all, no questions asked, and as usual will be seated on a first come/first served basis. |
The Wine Feed (Raleigh) | wine bar and retail store | 602 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27603 | Starting on Friday, August 20, any guest wishing to enjoy on-premise wine or food inside at The Wine Feed's Raleigh and Durham stores will first be required to show proof of vaccination. Anyone who is not vaccinated, or does not want to show their card is welcome to enjoy wine and food on outdoor patios. This does not apply to retail customers or children under 12--but all guests are still required to wear masks upon entering and moving about the stores. |
The Wine Feed (Durham) | wine bar and retail store | 307 S Roxboro St, Durham | Starting on Friday, August 20, any guest wishing to enjoy on-premise wine or food inside at The Wine Feed's Raleigh and Durham stores will first be required to show proof of vaccination. Anyone who is not vaccinated, or does not want to show their card is welcome to enjoy wine and food on outdoor patios. This does not apply to retail customers or children under 12--but all guests are still required to wear masks upon entering and moving about the stores. |
Hopscotch Music Festival | festival | downtown Raleigh | Attendees will need to bring proof of identification, and either proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test. Negative tests must be obtained within 72 hours for each day the you attend the festival. |
All live nation shows after Oct. 1, 2021 | concerts | Red Hat Amphitheatre in Raleigh, Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek, The Ritz | Proof of vaccination required or negative COVID tests for events all venues |
Carolina Theatre of Durham | performing arts venue | 309 W Morgan St, Durham, NC 27701 | Beginning Oct. 4, the Carolina Theatre of Durham will require proof of COVID-19 vaccine or a negative test taken within 72 hours for all guests. |
Durty Bull Brewing Company | bar and brewery | 206 Broadway St #104, Durham, NC 27701 | The brewery and taproom requires proof of vaccination for indoor seating. They wll accept original vaccine cards, photos of vaccine cards, or a digital or hard copy of vaccine information from the NC COVID-19 Vaccine Management System. If you are not vaccinated or do not wish to prove vaccination, you may still enter the taproom, mask on, to purchase beer to enjoy in our outdoor seating area or to-go, however you will not be allowed to sit and drink in our taproom. |
Durham Performing Arts Center | performing arts venue | 123 Vivian Street, Durham, North Carolina 27701 | Starting Oct. 4, Durham Performing Arts Center will require guests attending events at the venue to provide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of the event date. Prior to Oct. 4, these events will require proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test: The Ultimate Queen Celebration on Sept. 18, Bianca Del Rio on Sept. 20 and Indigo Girls on Sept. 25. |
Kotuku Surf Club | bar | 703 Rigsbee Ave, Durham, NC 27701 | Beginning Aug. 25, we will be requiring all guests to show a copy of their vaccination card (a copy or photo of your card is also sufficient). We will also be raising the minimum age of entry from 21 to 23. |
Alley Twenty Six | bar | 320 E Chapel Hill St, Durham, NC 27701 | Starting Aug. 25, we will be requiring proof of vaccination to be served at Alley Twenty Six. Inside or in the alley. A vaccination card or photo of the card matching your ID is all that will be required. |
Market And Moss | restaurant and bar | 700 Market St, Chapel Hill, NC 27516 | Beginning Aug. 31, proof of COVID-19 vaccination will be required for guests over twelve years of age who choose to dine indoors. Patio dining will continue to be open to all, regardless of vaccination status. Guests will only need to show a vaccination card, or a photo of it, on their first visit to Market And Moss once the new policy is implemented on August 31. Guests will have the option of being added to a list of those who have already shown proof of vaccination for convenience during future visits. |
London Bridge Pub | bar | 110 E Hargett St, Raleigh, NC 27601 | Starting Sept. 6, The London Bridge Pub will require vax cards or recent negative test for entrance. |
Dashi | restaurant and bar | 415 E Chapel Hill St Durham, NC 27701 | Starting Friday, October 1, Dashi will begin requiring proof of vaccination for anyone dining in the ramen shop or izakaya. Guests must provide a vaccination card or a photo of the card matching their ID to enter. Can't provide a vaccination card? Get take out! |
COPA | restaurant and bar | 107 W. Main Street, Durham, NC 27701 | Beginning Sept. 21, proof of COVID-19 vaccination will be required for indoor dining for guests 12 years and older. All guests are welcome to dine outside, regardless of vaccination status. |
Are we missing something? Report It.