North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper announced during Wednesday's briefing that face coverings are now mandatory in public.
The state reported a 1,721 coronavirus case increase and 20 additional deaths within one day. Due to the spike in cases, the governor is now ordering face masks to be worn in public.
Face coverings are required inside and outside when a six feet distance is not possible between those who are not family members. Every employee and customer must wear a face mask in retail stores and manufacturers, such as meat processing factories, are also required to wear a mask.
Exceptions are made for children under 11-years-old, those with health conditions, and when exercising while maintaining a six feet distance.
Cooper also announced North Carolina will delaying moving forward to Phase Three. The governor says the state will remain in Phase Two for an additional three weeks because he does not want North Carolina to move backwards.
The governor says he hopes for North Carolina to ease up restrictions on playgrounds, gyms, and more once the order expires on July 17.