North Carolina now requires face masks or coverings while out in public. | Stock Photo
North Carolina now requires face masks or coverings while out in public. | Stock Photo
Gov. Roy Cooper delayed the third phase of the state's reopening amid concerns about COVID-19 positive case increases and is mandating that people wear face masks or coverings when in public.
The Phase 3 reopening will be delayed at least three weeks, the governor said in a news release on June 24.
“North Carolina is relying on the data and the science to lift restrictions responsibly, and right now our increasing numbers show we need to hit the pause button while we work to stabilize our trends,” Cooper said in the news release. “We need to all work together so we can protect our families and neighbors, restore our economy, and get people back to work and our children back to school.”
However, the governor's decision was quickly met with backlash.
The Daily Record reported that several counties' sheriffs will not enforce the face mask or coverings order while citizens are in public, including Sampson County Sheriff Jimmy Thornton calling it unconstitutional.
North Carolina Lt. Gov. Dan Forest is also planning to legally challenge Cooper's requirement. Forest, a Republican who is running against Cooper (D) for the office of governor, filed a lawsuit against the face mask requirement and closing businesses, ABC 11 reported on Monday.
Forest said his suit is not politically-based.
"This lawsuit is not interested in the substance of Gov. Cooper's orders," Forest said, ABC 11 reported. "In times of crisis, the rule of law is more important than ever. We must do the right thing in the right way. No one - governor or citizen - is above the rule of law."
Cooper's face mask requirement does provide exemptions such as while eating or drinking, children 11 years old or younger, medical conditions and while being home or in a vehicle among other reasons, ABC 11 reported.
“Wearing a face covering is an easy thing to do that can make a huge impact for all of us," Dennis Taylor, a nurse, and President of the North Carolina Nurses Association, said in the news release. "A major spike in cases would be catastrophic to the system, and without your cooperation, nurses and our fellow healthcare providers will have a harder time caring for sick patients for weeks and months to come."
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