Enforcing Governor Cooper's Executive Order mandating face coverings
In an executive order announced Wednesday, June 24, Gov. Roy Cooper extended Phase 2 of reopening North Carolina until July 17 and made face coverings mandatory in public. The mask requirements take effect Friday, June 26 at 5 p.m.
“I urge everyone to be a leader in wearing face coverings,” Cooper said. “I encourage businesses to be strong in enforcing it. Slowing the spread helps our economy, and these face coverings do that.”
Executive Order 147 may impact local businesses. Face coverings are frequently discussed on social media with division among the community.
“This may prevent some people from going in businesses, but it does provide an even playing field for local businesses as it applies to all,” said Kinston-Lenoir County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Craig Hill.
Kinston-Lenoir County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Craig Hill
Kinston Police Chief Tim Dilday
Jones County Sheriff Danny Heath
Per the executive order, law enforcement personnel are not authorized to criminally enforce the face covering requirements of this executive 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 and any other laws (other than N.C. Gen. Stat.§ 14-288.20A) that the worker, customer or patron may violate, according to Section 15(A) of Executive Order 147.
“The trespassing discussed by Governor Cooper is no different than any property owner reaching out to law enforcement for assistance with their property,” said Chief Tim Dilday of the Kinston Police Department.
Jones County Sheriff Danny Heath said he will not issue citations to businesses who don’t force their customers to comply with the face covering mandate.
In a Facebook post, Sheriff Heath stated, “NO, I will not be enforcing the wearing of face masks! Be careful and responsible and make your own decision.”
Law enforcement and other public safety and emergency management personnel are strongly encouraged to educate and encourage voluntary compliance with all the provisions of the executive order.
In North Carolina, 1,721 COVID-19 laboratory-confirmed cases were reported on June 24 per the CDC, which represents the third-highest case count in June. In Lenoir County, there are a total of 344 cases and 10 deaths reported.
Sarah Burk contributed to this story.
