Gov. Roy Cooper Lifts Capacity Limits, Most Mask Requirements For North Carolina

On May 14, Governor Cooper announced that effective immediately, all mandatory indoor and outdoor capacity limits for businesses, event venues and gatherings are lifted. He also lifting social-distancing requirements and most mandatory mask mandates. This announcement followed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s guidance that fully vaccinated individuals can safely do most activities without wearing a mask or the need to social distance from others.

There are still settings where masks and other safety measures will be required, including childcare facilities, schools, and camps, as most children are not yet vaccinated or eligible to get their vaccine. Everyone will still be required to wear a mask in settings including public transportation, health care settings like hospitals, doctor’s offices and long-term care settings like nursing homes, and certain congregate settings like correctional facilities, and homeless shelters. State health officials "strongly recommend" that people who are unvaccinated continue to wear face masks.

Read the Press Release on the lifted COVID-19 restrictions.

Read the FAQ for Executive Order 215.