Face Coverings

The CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings, commonly referred to as masks, in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain, such as grocery stores, pharmacies, and gas stations. Wearing face coverings in public is required in North Carolina.

Cloth face coverings may slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others.
Cloth face coverings can be made from household items.
COVID-19 can be spread by people who do not have symptoms and do not know that they are infected. That’s why it’s important for everyone to practice social distancing (staying at least 6 feet away from other people) and wear cloth face coverings in public settings. Cloth face coverings provide an extra layer to help prevent the respiratory droplets from traveling in the air and onto other people.

Read the press release: Orange County Extends Emergency Declaration, Mandates Face Coverings (Español, Chinese)
Read the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): English, Español
Read the June 10th Amendment to the Declaration of State of Emergency in Orange County: English

If you feel a business is failing to adhere to the policy, please fill out this form so that an Environmental Health Specialist can work with the business to comply with the requirement:

www.orangecountync.gov/RegisterComplaint

Face Covering Requirement in Orange County

Any person age 5 or older must wear a face covering at all times while in public settings.

Orange County has mandated the use of face coverings for most:

Customers, employees and other users of restaurants, grocery and retail stores while they are indoors.
Occupants of public transportation vehicles.
People in any other indoor or any outdoor situation where they cannot maintain a 6-foot physical distance from others.

A face covering is not required:

For those who can’t wear a face covering due to a medical or behavioral condition.
For children under 5 years old.
For restaurant customers while they are dining.
In private offices.
When complying with directions of law enforcement officers.
In settings where it is not practical or feasible to wear a face covering when obtaining or rendering goods or services.
While with family or household members.

What is a face covering?

A face covering includes anything that covers your nose and mouth, such as a mask, scarf or bandana. Make sure your cloth face covering:

Fits snugly but comfortably against the side of the face
Completely covers the nose and mouth

Do I need to practice social distancing if I wear a cloth face covering?

Yes. Wearing a face covering does not take the place of other public health precautions like maintaining six feet of physical distance between yourself and others, washing your hands (or using hand sanitizer), and avoiding touching your face.

Face Covering Requirements for Businesses

It is an Orange County Order that the staff of all establishments must wear face coverings properly, which means over both mouth and nose. It is a further order that community members should wear face coverings while out in public in most circumstances.

How will this be enforced?

The mandate’s goal is to protect the public health by increasing the use of masks. The declaration will be supported through education and public awareness. Individuals who do not feel comfortable in any setting should leave that setting. If you feel a business is failing to adhere to the policy, please fill out this form so that an Environmental Health Specialist can work with the business to comply with the requirement:
www.orangecountync.gov/RegisterComplaint

We will continue to document the public’s requests for service. A history of noncompliance will be the basis for legal action against an establishment as either a misdemeanor offense or seek injunctive relief under public health law in NC. Establishments may employee people who are exempt from face covering for a reason listed in the Executive or local Order. As a reminder, chairs and tables really need to be placed properly where diners can be safe around other diners. Post the required signs and try to have ha sanitizer available at the entrance.

Questions? Contact an Environmental Health Specialist: 919-245-2360

#MaskUPOCNC Campaign

Orange County is excited to announce the #MaskUpOCNC public health campaign.

The artist-designed poster series and corresponding social media campaign will encourage residents to “mask up” in compliance with state and county mandates.

“We know that wearing a face covering decreases the spread of the virus by trapping airborne particles, protecting yourself and others from contamination,” said Penny Rich, chair of the Orange County Board of Commissioners. “By wearing a mask, you do your individual part to help protect the whole population. You wear a mask to protect others, and they wear a mask to protect you. Mask up, Orange County!”

Orange County artists Mike Benson, Marcela Slade, and Bob Goldstein designed a series of eight posters depicting cultural icons encouraging the public to wear a face covering. The posters have been placed across the county.

Starting the week of July 27, residents are encouraged to share photos of themselves on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter wearing their face coverings and using the hashtag #MaskUpOCNC. One participant will be selected each week of the campaign to receive a $25 gift certificate to a local area business. Winners will be announced on Fridays.

The project is a partnership of communicators across Orange County and is led by the Orange County Arts Commission, with communicators from the Arts Commission, Orange County Health Department, Orange County Public Library, Orange County Office of Community Relations and the Town of Hillsborough on the committee. To view each work in the series, visit www.artsorange.org/maskup.

Mask/Face Covering Donations Accepted

Location:	Days/Times:	Address:	Sponsoring Agency:	Notes:
Chapel Hill Fire Station 1	Wednesdays & Saturdays 2:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.	403 Martin Luther King Blvd Chapel Hill	Town of Chapel Hill	Labeled container for donations
Chapel Hill Fire Station 3	Wednesdays & Saturdays 2:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.	1615 E. Franklin Street Chapel Hill	Town of Chapel Hill	Labeled container for donations
Hargraves Community Center	Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.	216 N. Roberson Street Chapel Hill	Town of Chapel Hill	Labeled container for donations
Carrboro Police Department	No specific day/time	100 N. Greensboro Street Carrboro	Town of Carrboro	Bin located outside