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In response to the announcement earlier this week that NC’s Safer at Home Phase 2 will be extended for three more weeks, and face coverings are now required in public places, the Henderson Police Department addressed local enforcement of the order via Facebook.
HPD’s statement reads:
“As always, I strongly encourage everyone to take safeguards to protect themselves, their families, friends, neighbors, and all others. As of 5 p.m. today (Friday, June 26, 2020) EXECUTIVE ORDER 147 takes effect. I urge everyone to read EXECUTIVE ORDER 147 (click here) for its content and in its entirety.
There are no provisions to charge a person for simply failing to wear a face covering in public. The enforcement section of this document only pertains to varying businesses, certain government, and transportation settings. Violations under this order can be issued only to businesses or organizations that fail to enforce the face covering requirement.
Law enforcement personnel are not authorized to criminally enforce the “face covering” requirements of this Executive Order against individual workers, customers, or patrons. The “Exceptions” section of the order makes it difficult to enforce the face covering requirements of the Governor’s order based on the way the order is worded and the numerous exceptions listed.