The tighter mask mandate that takes effect Wednesday across North Carolina requires that people cover their faces at restaurants, except when "actively eating or drinking."
FOOT TRAFFIC ON A CAMPUS BY AT LEAST 75% UNTIL NEXT SEMESTER. WE'LL SEE HOW THINGS SHAKE OUT IN JANUARY. >>> THE GOVERNOR'S NEW MASK ORDER WILL CHANGE THE WAY YOU EAT OUT AT RESTAURANTS. ALL GUESTS MUST WEAR FACE COVERINGS WHEN THEY ARE NOT ACTIVELY EATING OR DRINKING. SARAH KRUEGER IS LIVE IN DOWNTOWN TO SHARE WHAT OWNERS AND PATRONS THINK ABOUT THE CHANGE. >> Reporter: MOST PEOPLE NOW COME TO A RESTAURANT AND THEY ARE WEARING A MASK, THEN SIT DOWN AND TAKE IT OFF AND LEAVE IT OFF UNTIL THEY LEAVE THE RESTAURANT. THAT'S NO LONGER POSSIBLE, AND THIS IS GUSSETED BURDEN ON THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY. >> IT FEELS LIKE RESTAURANTS ARE SINGLED OUT DURING THE COVID PERIOD. >> Reporter: SHE SAYS THE EXPECTATION THAT CUSTOMERS WILL PUT THEIR MASKS ON BETWEEN SIPS AND BITES WILL BE DIFFICULT FOR EMPLOYEES TO ENFORCE. >> IT PUTS RESTAURANTS IN A DIFFICULT POSITION. WE ARE IN THE SERVICE OF HOSPITALITY, NOT IN EPIDEMIOLOGY. >> DO YOU THINK THIS IS PRACTICAL? >> PROBABLY NOT HONESTLY. >> YOU GO TO A RESTAURANT AND IT'S ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE. WHEN YOU HAVE TO PULL THE MASK UP AND DOWN, UP AND DOWN, IT'S LESS ENJOYABLE. >> I AM DEFINITELY IN FAVOR OF IT. >> Reporter: SOME WILL FEEL SAFER AND MORE LIKELY TO VISIT A RESTAURANT. >> WE WILL OF COURSE ENFORCE WHATEVER REGULATIONS ARE PUT IN PLACE BY THE GOVERNOR. WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU WALK TO A TABLE AND SOMEBODY WAS CLEARLY NOT DOING IT BUT THEY ARE NOW SIPPING THEIR WATER? >> Reporter: THERE ARE147 CHILD ABUSES AND TWO 147 CASES AND TWO DEATHS LINKED TO RESTAURANTS. THEY ARE CERTAINLY HOPING THAT THEY WILL GET CLARITY FROM THE STATE. ONE THING RESTAURANT OWNERS SAY, THIS COUPLE HERE ARE THE ONLY PEOPLE DINING IN THIS RESTAURANT. THEY HAVE THEIR MASKS ON AT THE
