'Safer At Home Phase 2' North Carolina Explained

This Frequently Asked Questions document provides guidance for the implementation of Executive Order 147. The order extends North Carolina’s “Safer At Home Phase 2” through 5 p.m. on July 17, 2020, with additional amendments to protect public health.

This information is subject to change in light of new guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and additional executive orders or local government declarations.

Frequently Asked Questions on Cloth Face Coverings
June 30, 2020
Q. Why do I need to wear a cloth face covering?
A. Covering your face is about protecting other people. By covering your face when you are out in public
settings, you are being a good neighbor and helping your community stay healthy.
There is growing evidence that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can spread between people in
close contact – through actions like coughing, sneezing and talking- even when they are not showing
symptoms. Wearing a face covering is another step that may help reduce the spread, especially for
those who are sick but may not know it.
Face coverings are not a replacement for other evidence-based measures such as physical distancing,
and frequent hand washing practices.
Q. When should I wear a cloth face covering?
A. You should wear face coverings when in public places, particularly when those locations are indoors
or in other areas where physical distancing is not possible.
Certain businesses are required to have patrons and employees wear face coverings whether they are
inside or outside when they are or may be within six (6) feet of another person, or unless an exception
applies.
These businesses must follow the requirements for face coverings as described in Executive Order 147.
These businesses, to the extent they are open are:
• Retail Businesses;
• Restaurants
• Personal Care, Grooming, and Tattoo Businesses;
• Child Care Facilities, Day Camps, and Overnight Camps;
• Gyms, Exercise Facilities, and Fitness Facilities,
• State Government Cabinet Agencies;
• Transportation;
• Certain High-Density Occupational Settings Where Social Distancing is Difficult, including
manufacturing settings, construction sites, meat processing, and migrant farm or other farm
settings;
• Long Term Care Facilities
• Other Health Care Settings
Q. Are there exceptions to the face covering requirements?
A. Yes, face coverings do not need to be worn by an individual, worker, customer or patron who:
1. Has a medical or behavioral condition or disability and cannot wear a face covering
(including, but not limited to, any person who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious or
incapacitated, or is otherwise unable to put on or remove the face covering without
assistance);
2. Is under eleven (11) years of age;
3. Is actively eating or drinking;
4. Is strenuously exercising or swimming;
5. Is seeking to communicate with someone with hearing loss in a way that requires the mouth
to be visible;
6. Is giving a speech for a broadcast or to an audience;
7. Is working at home or alone in a vehicle;
8. Is temporarily removing his or her Face Covering to secure government or medical services
or for identification purposes;
9. Would be at risk from wearing a Face Covering at work, as determined by local, state, or
federal regulators or workplace safety guidelines;
10. Has found that his or her Face Covering is impeding visibility to operate equipment or a
vehicle; or
11. Is a child whose parent, guardian, or responsible person has been unable to place the Face
Covering safely on the child’s face.
12. Children under two (2) years of age should not wear a face covering.
Q. Do I still need to stay at least six (6) feet away from people if I am wearing a cloth face covering?
A. Yes. Wearing cloth face coverings is an additional public health measure to reduce the spread of
COVID-19. It is still recommended that you stay at least six (6) feet way from other people and
frequently wash your hands or use hand sanitizer. A cloth face covering is not intended to protect the
wearer, but it may prevent the spread of virus from the wearer to others. This is especially important if
someone is infected but does not have symptoms.
Q. Do I need to wear a face covering while exercising outdoors?
A. No. If you are able to safely maintain at least six (6) feet distance from others, you do not need to
wear a face covering when exercising outdoors.
Q. Should children wear cloth face coverings?
A. Yes, it is recommended that children over the age of two wear a cloth face covering if they can
reliably wear, remove, and handle cloth face coverings throughout the day, unless there is an exception,
see question above. Cloth face coverings should NOT be put on babies and children under the age of 2
because of danger of suffocation.
Q. What kind of face covering should I use?
A. People should wear cloth face coverings that cover the nose and mouth. Surgical Masks, Procedure
Masks, and N95 respirators are not recommended for general public use or use in community settings, as these should be reserved for specific high-risk occupational settings, healthcare providers and other
medical first responders in a health care setting. Plastic face shields that wrap around the sides of the
wearer’s face and extend to below the chin are an allowed substitute for individuals that have
difficulties wearing a cloth face covering.
Q. Where can I get a cloth face covering?
A. While cloth face coverings are being sold by a range of retailers and available to purchase online, you
can also make them at home from regular household items. CDC has released resources on how to make
a face covering from items like bandanas and t-shirts. A video showing the steps is also available.
Q. How do I take care of my cloth face covering?
A. It is a good idea to wash your cloth face covering frequently, ideally after each use, or at least daily.
Have a bag or bin to keep cloth face coverings in until they can be laundered with detergent and hot
water and dried on a hot cycle. If you must re-wear your cloth face covering before washing, wash your
hands immediately after putting it back on and avoid touching your face. Discard cloth face coverings
that:
• No longer cover the nose and mouth
• Have stretched out or damaged ties or straps
• Cannot stay on the face
• Have holes or tears in the fabric
Q. How do I safely adjust or remove a used cloth face covering?
A. Be careful not to touch your eyes, nose, and mouth when removing or adjusting a face covering and
wash hands immediately after removing or adjusting.
Q. What if I am worried about being profiled or being subjected to bias if I wear a cloth face covering?
A. Some populations may experience increased anxiety and fear of bias and being profiled wearing face
coverings in public spaces, but everyone should adhere to this guidance without fear of profiling or bias.
If someone is the target of ethnic or racial intimidation as the result of adhering to the face covering
provision or as a result of the pandemic, they are encouraged to report the matter to law enforcement
or other government entity.
Q. What if I am a person with, or I support someone with a disability and cannot or simply will not
wear a face covering?
A. It may be scary for individuals to have cloth placed over their face if they do not understand why or if
they have trouble with breathing. Some individuals may have sensitivity to having something placed
over their face. Providing clear education about the reasons to wear a face covering, giving
encouragement, and modeling the use of a face covering are good rules of thumb when helping
someone. It may also be helpful to practice wearing a face covering for short time periods or limiting
the amount of time it is worn. If an individual is unable to wear a cloth face covering or will not tolerate
using a cloth face covering, it may be necessary to use a scarf or other wrap. A person should not be
forced to use a cloth face covering, but, instead, other steps should be taken to help the individual avoid
unnecessary exposure.
Q. What if I am a person with hearing loss and am concerned about not being able to read lips?
A. Deaf and Hard of Hearing people often use lipreading to help understand what those around them
are saying. Without being able to lipread, other communication techniques need to be used to help with communication. Some solutions to improve communication include: find a cloth face covering that
has a clear plastic area that allows the lips to be visible (there are a number of options out there),
increase your distance, write notes back and forth, write on a white board to communicate, use a free
speech to text app on your mobile device and allow the person to read what you speak, gesture and if
needed step several additional feet back from the person and remove your face cloth face covering just
long enough to communicate.
Q. How well do cloth face coverings work to prevent spread of COVID-19?
A. Scientific evidence suggests that use of cloth face coverings by the public during a pandemic can help
reduce disease transmission. Cloth face coverings can reduce the release of infectious particles into the
air when someone speaks, coughs, or sneezes. Cloth face coverings are not a substitute for staying six
(6) feet apart, washing hands, and staying home when ill.
Q: How does a retail or restaurant establishment comply with the requirement for customers to wear
face coverings?
A: Executive Order 147 requires customers to wear face coverings inside retail and restaurant
establishments. All retail and restaurant establishments must post signage (Option 1 (English, Spanish or
Option 2 (English, Spanish) at the entrance of the establishment stating that face coverings are required
per Executive Order 147. A best practice would be to have an employee at the entrance to a business
establishment to monitor both capacity restrictions and offer disposable face coverings to those without
one, but this is not required to be in compliance. If the retail or restaurant establishment clearly posts
the signage putting the customer on notice of the face covering requirement, it is deemed to be in
compliance with the enforcement of face covering requirements contained in Executive Order 147. Any
violation of this requirement may be reported to local authorities.

Frequently Asked Questions for Executive Order No. 147
June 24, 2020
This Frequently Asked Questions (‘FAQ”) document provides guidance for the
implementation of Executive Order No. 147 (“Order”). The Order extends North
Carolina’s “Safer At Home Phase 2” through 5:00 pm on July 17, 2020 with additional
amendments to protect public health. This information is subject to change in light of
new guidance from public health studies and the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (“CDC”) and additional Executive Orders or local government declarations.
Extending Phase 2
Why is North Carolina extending Safer at Home Phase 2?
The Governor and public health officials remain guided by science, data, and facts in
making decisions regarding COVID-19. Since moving into Phase 2 on May 22, 2020,
several key metrics have been trending in a concerning direction.
North Carolina’s daily number of positive COVID-19 tests are continuing to increase;
the percent of COVID-19 tests that are positive has remained high; emergency
department visits for COVID-19 like illnesses are increasing; and hospitalizations for
COVID-19 continue to increase. Doctors, public health officials, hospital
administrators, and health care providers are concerned that unless the spread of
COVID-19 is limited, existing health care facilities may not have the capacity to care
for those who become sick.
Additionally, Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and
Infectious Diseases, testified before Congress on June 23, 2020 that the “next couple
weeks are going to be critical” in the country’s ability to address increasing rates of
COVID-19 infection.
In order to address these troubling metrics and slow the spread of COVID-19, North
Carolina is continuing the measures of Executive Order No. 141, “the Phase 2
Executive Order” for an additional three weeks — and is imposing a face covering
requirement — to slow the spread of this virus during the pandemic.
How long will North Carolina be in Safer at Home Phase 2?
The state will continue to be in Phase 2 until 5:00 pm on July 17, 2020.
What is changing in Safer at Home Phase 2?
Face coverings will be required in public places with some exceptions.
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What stays the same in Safer at Home Phase 2?
All aspects of Phase 2 as delineated in Executive Order No. 141 remain in place,
including: • Certain businesses may be open with restrictions and following state health
guidelines, including: restaurants; child care businesses; overnight and day
camps; personal care; grooming, massage, and tattoo businesses; and indoor
and outdoor pools;
• People may gather together for social purposes, so long as they do not
exceed the mass gathering limit of 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors;
• Sporting and entertainment events may occur in large venues for broadcast to
the public, so long as the number of spectators at the events is limited to the
mass gathering limit of 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors.
• Public playgrounds remain closed;
• Bars and nightclubs remain closed;
• Movie theaters, museums, bowling alleys, amusement parks, arcades, and
skating rinks remain will closed;
• Bingo parlors and other gaming establishments will remain closed;
• Teleworking continues to be encouraged whenever possible;
• Visitation in skilled nursing homes and combination homes remains restricted
except for certain compassionate care situations; and
• The following facilities that operate within an indoor space remain closed:
martial arts facilities, dance studios, trampoline and rock-climbing facilities,
roller skating rinks, ice staking rinks, and basketball courts.
Face Coverings
Does this Order require North Carolinians to wear face coverings?
Yes. People are now required to wear face coverings in public spaces, whether inside
or outside, where physical distancing of six feet is not possible. This includes but is
not limited to:
• Retail Businesses: Retail businesses must have all workers wear face coverings.
Retail businesses must also have all customers wear face coverings when they
are inside the establishment and may be within six feet of another person,
unless the customer comes under an exception identified in the Order. If a
customer states that an exception applies, the retailer should try to make an
accommodation. The business may choose to provide curbside service, provide
home delivery, allow the customer to enter without a face covering, or use
some other reasonable measure to deliver goods.
• Restaurants: Restaurants must have all workers wear face coverings.
Restaurants must also have all customers wear face coverings when not at their
table, unless the customer comes under an exception identified in the Order.
• Personal Care, Grooming, and Tattoo Businesses: Personal care, grooming, and
tattoo businesses must have workers wear face coverings. These businesses
must also have all customers wear face coverings when they are inside the
establishment and may be within six feet of another person, unless an
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individual has an exception as outlined in the Order. If a customer states that
an exception applies, the business may choose to have the customer wait
outside for his or her appointment rather than sitting in a waiting room.
Customers may take off their face coverings if they are receiving a facial
treatment, shave, or other services on a part of the head which the face
covering covers or by which the face covering is secured.
• Child Care Facilities: Child care, day camps, and overnight camps must have
workers and all other adults wear face coverings. All children eleven years and
older must also wear face coverings on site unless they have an exception.
Children under two should not wear a face covering.
• State Government Employees: State government agencies headed by members
of the Governor’s Cabinet must have their on-site workers wear face coverings.
Other state and local government agencies are strongly encouraged to adopt
similar policies.
• Transportation: All workers and riders on public or private vehicles, as well as
all people in North Carolina airports, bus and train stations or stops, must wear
face coverings. Passengers will not be denied access to public transportation
for failure to use face coverings. This provision does not apply to people
traveling alone with household members or friends in their personal vehicles,
but does apply to ride-shares like Ubers and Lyfts, cabs, vans, and shuttles,
even if the vehicles are privately owned.
• Manufacturing, Construction Sites, Agricultural Settings: Social distancing is
difficult where multiple workers are together in manufacturing settings, at
construction sites, and in migrant farm, other farm, and agricultural settings.
This Order specifies that manufacturing, construction, and agriculture
businesses or operations must require workers to wear face coverings.
• Meat or Poultry Processing Plants: All workers in any meat or poultry
processing plant, packing plant, or slaughterhouse must wear surgical masks, as
long as surgical mask supplies are available. If surgical masks are not available,
cloth face coverings must be provided.
• Long Term Care Facilities: All workers in long term care (LTC) facilities,
including skilled nursing facilities, adult care homes, family care homes,
mental health group homes, and intermediate care facilities for individuals
with intellectual disabilities, must wear surgical masks while in the facility, as
long as surgical mask supplies are available.
Health care facilities other than LTC facilities must follow the face covering
requirements in the CDC Infection Control Guidance for Healthcare Professionals
about Coronavirus.
The NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) has released guidance to
the general public on the use of face coverings, and will make signage available to
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businesses. Guidance and signage are available at: https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/
guidance - phase-2-easing-of-restrictions.
What are some of the exceptions for wearing face coverings?
A face covering does not need to be worn by a worker, customer, or patron who meets
one of the following exceptions:
• Should not wear a face covering due to any medical or behavioral condition or
disability (including, but not limited to, any person who has trouble breathing,
or is unconscious or incapacitated, or is otherwise unable to put on or remove
the face covering without assistance);
• Is under eleven years of age;
• Is actively eating or drinking;
• Is strenuously exercising;
• Is seeking to communicate with someone who has hearing loss in a way that
requires the mouth to be visible;
• Is giving a speech for a broadcast or to an audience;
• Is working at home or is in a personal vehicle;
• Is temporarily removing his or her face covering to secure government or
medical services or for identification purposes;
• Would be at risk from wearing a face covering at work, as determined by local,
state, or federal regulators or workplace safety guidelines;
• Has found that their face covering is impeding visibility to operate equipment
or a vehicle; and/or
• Is a child whose parent, guardian, or responsible person has been unable to
place the face covering safely on the child’s face.
No proof or documentation is required if an individual falls into an exception
category.
What is a cloth face covering?
A cloth face covering is a material that covers the nose and mouth. It can be secured
to the head with ties or straps or simply wrapped around the lower face. It can be
made of a variety of materials, such as cotton, silk, or linen. A cloth face covering
may be factory-made or sewn by hand or can be improvised from household items
such as scarfs, T-shirts, sweatshirts, or towels. Ideally, a face covering has two or
more layers. These face coverings are not intended for use by healthcare providers in
the care of patients. Surgical Masks, Procedure Masks, and N95 respirators are not
recommended for general public use or use in community settings, as these should be
reserved for specific high-risk occupational settings, healthcare providers and other
medical first responders in a health care setting.
When should I wear a cloth face covering?
You should wear face coverings when in public places, particularly when those
locations are indoors or in other areas where physical distancing is not possible. Under
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this Order, face coverings are required in retail businesses, restaurants, personal care
and grooming businesses, and several other settings.
How should I wear a cloth face covering?
Be sure to place the face covering over your nose and your mouth and keep it in place
at all times while you wear it. Be careful not to touch your eyes, nose, and mouth
when removing or adjusting a face covering and wash hands immediately after
removing or adjusting.
How should I care for a cloth face covering?
Wash your cloth face covering frequently, ideally after each use, or at least daily.
Have a bag or bin to keep cloth face coverings in until they can be laundered with
detergent and hot water and dried on a hot cycle. If you must re-wear your cloth face
covering before washing, wash your hands immediately after putting it back on and
avoid touching your face. Discard cloth face coverings that:
• No longer cover the nose and mouth;
• Have stretched out or damaged ties or straps;
• Cannot stay on the face; and/or
• Have holes or tears in the fabric.
How well do cloth face coverings work to prevent spread of COVID-19?
Scientific evidence suggests that use of cloth face coverings by the public during a
pandemic can help reduce disease transmission. Cloth face coverings can reduce the
release of infectious particles into the air when someone speaks, coughs, or sneezes.
Cloth face coverings are not a substitute for staying six feet apart, washing hands,
and staying home when ill.
Do I need to wear a face covering while exercising or walking outdoors?
No. If you are able to safely maintain at least six feet distance from others, you do
not need to wear a face covering when exercising and walking outdoors.
Should children wear cloth face coverings?
Cloth face coverings should NOT be put on babies and children under the age of 2
because of danger of suffocation. Children over the age of 2 should wear cloth face
coverings if they can reliably wear, remove, and handle cloth face coverings
throughout the day.
What if I am a person with hearing loss and am concerned about not being able to
read lips?
Deaf and Hard of Hearing people often use lipreading to help understand what those
around them are saying. When people are wearing cloth face coverings, other
communication strategies are needed. Try finding a cloth face covering that has a
clear plastic area that allows the lips to be visible, writing notes back and forth,
writing on a white board to communicate, using a free speech to text app on mobile
device, and gesturing – or if needed stepping several additional feet back from the
person and removing face cloth face covering long enough to communicate.
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What if I am a person with, or I support someone with a disability who cannot
wear a face covering?
Some people may have trouble breathing or sensitivity to having something placed
over their face. If you or someone you support is unable to wear a cloth face
covering, be sure to take other steps to help avoid unnecessary exposure.
What if I am worried about being profiled or being subjected to bias if I wear a
cloth face covering?
Some people may experience increased anxiety and fear of bias and being profiled
wearing face coverings in public spaces – but wearing a cloth face covering protects
your family, friends and neighbors. If you are the target of ethnic or racial
intimidation as the result of adhering to the face covering provision or as a result of
the pandemic, you are strongly encouraged to report the matter to law enforcement
or other government entity. Everyone should be able to wear cloth face coverings
without fear of profiling or bias, and any type of racial intimidation, profiling or bias
for wearing a face covering should not be tolerated.
Will children have to wear face coverings at day or overnight camps, and at child
care?
Children eleven years or older must wear face coverings at day or overnight camps
when they are or may be within six feet of another person.
Will children in K-12 public schools be required to wear cloth face coverings?
Masks are required for all school staff and adult visitors, and all middle and high
school students when they are or may be within 6 feet of another person, unless the
person (or family member, for a student) states that an exception applies. Cloth face
coverings must be worn by students and staff inside school buildings, and anywhere on
school grounds, including outside. They will also be required while traveling on buses
or other transportation vehicles. Cloth face coverings remain strongly encouraged for
elementary school students, if appropriate for that child, but are not required for
them.
How will the face covering requirement be enforced?
Citations related to this Order can be written to businesses or organizations that fail
to enforce the requirement to wear face coverings. Operators of businesses and
organizations are entitled to rely on their customers or patrons’ statements about
whether or not they are exempt from the face covering requirements, and businesses
and organizations do not violate this Order if they rely on customer or patron
statements. Law enforcement personnel cannot criminally enforce the face covering
requirements of this Order against individual workers, customers, or patrons.
However, if a business or organization does not allow entry to a worker, customer, or
patron because that person refuses to wear a face covering, and if that worker,
customer, or patron enters the premises or refuses to leave the premises, law
enforcement personnel may enforce the trespassing laws.
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What if I am stopped by a law enforcement officer and directed to remove my face
covering?
A person wearing a face covering for health and safety purposes must remove the face
covering upon request by a law enforcement officer in any of the following
circumstances:
• during a traffic stop, including a checkpoint or roadblock, as required by law;
and
• when a law enforcement officer has reasonable suspicion or probable cause
during a criminal investigation, as required by law.
What if I can’t afford face coverings?
If an individual cannot afford to buy face coverings, a cloth face covering may be
sewn by hand or can be improvised from household items such as scarfs, T-shirts,
sweatshirts, or towels.
Other Topics
How does this Order impact policies set by local government?
Most of the restrictions in this order are minimum requirements. Local governments,
like cities and counties, can impose greater restrictions but they cannot restrict state
government operations or set different Emergency Maximum Occupancy
requirements.
Do businesses have to report to the state, other employees, or customers when an
employee tests positive? Do they have to close down?
Businesses should work with their local health departments on contact tracing and
cleaning recommendations. Some facilities, such as child care settings and schools, do
have to report positive cases. CDC guidance addresses what businesses need to do if
someone gets sick.
What is the mass gathering limit?
Gatherings of more than ten people in a single indoor space remains prohibited. In
confined outdoor spaces, gatherings of more than 25 people are prohibited. These
mass gathering limits include parades, fairs, festivals, auditoriums, stadiums, arenas,
conference rooms, and meeting halls.
The mass gathering limit does not apply to retail businesses, restaurants, personal
care and grooming businesses, pools, child care, day camps, and overnight camps. In
these settings, there are other restrictions, such as 50 percent reduced occupancy or
putting six feet of distance between each group at a restaurant, to ensure that there
is not overcrowding.
The prohibition on mass gatherings does not include gatherings for health and safety,
to look for and obtain goods and services, for work, or for receiving governmental
services. A mass gathering does not include normal operations at airports, bus and
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train stations or stops, medical facilities, libraries, shopping malls, and shopping
centers. It also does not apply to the exercise of First Amendment rights like the right
to attend a worship service. However, in these settings, people are strongly
encouraged to follow the Three Ws (Wear a face covering, Wash hands, and Wait six
feet apart from others), and should avoid congregating in groups.
Are bars allowed to open?
As under Executive Order 141, businesses that are principally engaged in the business
of selling alcoholic beverages for onsite consumption remain closed in Phase 2.
Are water parks allowed to be open?
Water parks may be open to the extent they are operating pool facilities as defined
under G.S. 130A-280, to include: plunge pools and run out lanes, wave pools, rapid
rides, lazy rivers. However, they are not permitted to operate any "amusement
device" as defined under § 95-111.3, which are regulated by the Department of Labor
and include waterslides that exceed 15 feet of vertical drop.
Are weddings and funerals allowed to be held?
Yes. Even though there is no mass gathering limit on the people who may attend a
wedding or funeral ceremony, receptions or visitations before or after weddings and
funerals are subject to the mass gathering limit. Individuals are encouraged to follow
the Three Ws (Wear a face covering, Wash hands, and Wait six feet apart from others)
to reduce the chance of spreading COVID-19.
Are parades and fireworks shows allowed to be held?
For parades and fireworks shows, no more than 25 spectators - the outdoor mass
gathering limit - can gather in any confined place like a stadium or seating stand.
Regardless of setting, people should socially distance to reduce COVID-19 spread.
Are college and professional sports going to be able to play with fans/spectators?
Spectators are allowed at entertainment or sporting venues, fitness events in indoor
or outdoor gyms, exercise facilities, or fitness facilities, but must remain in
compliance with the mass gathering limits and social distancing guidelines.
Should North Carolinians continue to work from home if possible?
Yes. All businesses in North Carolina are strongly encouraged to continue directing
employees to telework, if possible. Additionally, non-essential travel and in-person
meetings should be avoided.
Are there any visitation restrictions at long-term care facilities?
Yes, visitation in skilled nursing facilities and combination homes, which are nursing
homes with assisted living facilities, is restricted to compassionate care situations.
What if I want to report a business or group not adhering to this Order?
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You can report violations of this Order to your local law enforcement’s non-emergency
line. People should not call 911 if they wish to report a violation and are encouraged
to use non-emergency lines only

More information: https://www.nc.gov/covid-19/staying-ahead-curve/phase-2-extension-faqs#why-is-north-carolina-extending-safer-at-home-phase-2