North Carolina is no longer under a mandatory mask mandate and all social distancing and mass gathering restrictions are eliminated effective immediately, Gov. Roy Cooper announced at 1:30 p.m. Friday.
The Town of Chapel Hill and Orange County are complying with the Governor’s orders.
The decision follows the updated guidance released by the CDC Thursday, which says that fully vaccinated individuals can safely do most activities without wearing a mask or the need to social distance.
Register to get vaccinated here, if you aren’t signed up or vaccinated already.
There ARE still caveats to the lifted mask mandate — face coverings will be required in health care settings, on public transportation, in prisons and homeless shelters, in schools and at summer camps.
Cooper also said businesses are allowed to choose whether they want to continue requiring masks for employees and customers. WCHL has the full details on the news HERE.
If you celebrate the lifting of mass gathering, capacity and/or mask restrictions at a business this weekend — specifically at a bar or a restaurant — PLEASE be kind, patient, & cognizant of the fact that NC businesses just got the all clear without ample warning or time to adequately rehire full staff.
Be nice, tip well, have fun!