Fayetteville mask mandate lifted but Cumberland County says it’s here to stay
posted by Jacqueline Leibman | November 9, 2021 | In NewsConfusion occurred for residents of the Fayetteville area on November 1 as Mayor Mitch Colvin rescinded the city-wide mask mandate that was put in place on August 18, while the public health abatement order, issued by Dr. Jennifer Green, Cumberland County Health Director, on August 27, is to remain in place.
What does this mean for residents?
Masks are still to be worn across Cumberland County, including all municipalities—Fayetteville, Hope Mills, Spring Lake, Wade, Eastover, Falcon, Godwin, Linden and Stedman.
In a statement released by the Cumberland County Department of Health regarding the mask order: “While trends are improving, Cumberland County remains in high transmission. We will continue to monitor transmission levels in Cumberland County and current recommendations from CDC and NCDHHS about masking.”
The sixth amendment to Fayetteville’s COVID-19 state of emergency declaration cited the release of a booster shot as well as a 66% full vaccination rate for adults in North Carolina and a 57% full vaccination rate for adults in Cumberland County as reasons for the mask mandate drop. In the last two weeks, COVID-19 hospitalizations in the county have decreased by 14%, while the total number of cases reported is down 26%, though the daily average of new cases remains high at 73, according to the New York Times COVID tracking map.
In an interview with WTVD news, Mayor Mitch Colvin supported his decision stating “Personally, I’ll still wear a mask, and I ask that everyone to do that at their own discretion, but this is not something that the government has to mandate, but if the time comes, then we’ll have to make those tough decisions and do it, but that’s the last step we want to do. So, ask everyone to please get vaccinated, get your booster shots, and still use precautions.”
Aside from the county abatement order, businesses retain the right to enforce mask policies and refuse service to those who do not comply. Fort Bragg will continue to follow the Department of Defense’s mandate ordering all personnel—soldiers, civilians, and beneficiaries—to wear masks indoors while on base, regardless of vaccination status. Additionally, unvaccinated personnel must wear masks in outdoors public spaces.
The Fayetteville State University’s mandatory COVID-19 protocols have not changed: masks are required in all indoor spaces, regardless of vaccination status, while face coverings are not required in outdoor spaces for vaccinated but are encouraged.
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