Here’s where Wake, Durham and Orange counties stand on COVID masks, testing

Towns across the Triangle are ramping up their mask requirements as COVID-19 cases surge.

North Carolina’s caseload shot up by more than 4,000 Thursday, along with 71 new hospitalizations. In response, most local governments have already enacted stricter mask rules. Some are now considering additional steps.

New York will require vaccines to enter its gyms and restaurants, according to CNN, and the Los Angeles Times reports the nation’s second-largest city may mandate proof of vaccination in public spaces.

While no rules in North Carolina go that far, the Triangle’s cities and towns are watching COVID-19 numbers closely. Here is a list of what’s required now and what may lie ahead.

Raleigh

Masks are required inside city-owned property regardless of a person’s vaccination status.

“The city has used education to convey to employees the benefits of getting vaccinated,” said Julia Milstead, the city’s public information officer. “At this point, there has been no discussion on making them mandatory.”

The city’s Human Resources department is reviewing the possibility of testing unvaccinated employees, she said.

Apex

Masks are required for staff and the public in public buildings. There are no plans to make vaccines mandatory or require weekly tests for unvaccinated employees, said Stacie Galloway, the communications manager for the town. And there are no plans to make town rules for masking or requiring vaccination checks in stores and restaurants.

Cary

Masks are required for staff and the public in public buildings, according to Mike Cooper, Cary Fire Chief. The town did not answer whether vaccinations will be required for employees, whether testing will be required for unvaccinated employees and whether additional rules will be enacted.

“Our response to this healthcare crisis will continue to evolve as changing situations warrant with our primary focus being the safety of our council, staff and citizens,” he said.

Garner

Masks are required for staff and the public in public buildings. There are no plans for mandatory vaccines or regular testing for unvaccinated employees, said Rick Mercier, communications director for the town. There are also no plans for additional rules for restaurants and stores.

Holly Springs

Masks are required for staff and the public in public buildings starting Friday. There are no plans to require vaccinations for employees though “the town strongly encourages all staff members to consider vaccination if they have not done so already,” said Mark Andrews, the town’s public information officer.

There are no plans to regularly test unvaccinated employees or add more rules for stores and restaurants.

Knightdale

Masks are required in all public facilities for staff and visitors as of Monday.

“Knightdale is strongly encouraging our employees to get vaccinated,” said Town Manager Bill Summers. “We are currently offering vacation days and a cash incentive (ARPA funded) for vaccinations. We have also begun discussing the trade-offs of a potential vaccine mandate with our elected officials, but those conversations are preliminary at this stage. Our hope is that the incentives offered will eliminate the need for a future mandate.”

There are no plans to require unvaccinated employees to be tested and it’s not the town’s preference, he said.

Morrisville

Masks are mandatory inside town facilities as of Monday, but there are no plans to make vaccines mandatory for employees or to test unvaccinated employees, said Wil Glenn, communications and outreach director.

Rolesville

The town requires everyone – staff and public – to wear a mask in indoor public areas during business hours, regardless of vaccination status, said Amy Stevens, Rolesville’s Finance Director.

“At this time, in restricted-access areas at town hall, only non-vaccinated individuals are required to wear a mask,” she said.

The town is encouraging employees to get vaccinated but there are no further requirements.

Wake County

Employees and visitors to Wake County facilities are required to wear masks in county facilities. Employees are not required to be vaccinated nor is there regular testing for unvaccinated employees, said Dara Demi, Wake County communications director.

The county hasn’t ruled out additional regulations on the general public but “not one is eager to rule them in,” said Wake County Commissioner Chair Matt Calabria. The decision will be driven by science and data as the county watches COVID-19 cases and vaccination rates change.

Wake Forest

Employees and visitors to Wake Forest facilities are required to wear masks as of Monday, said Bill Crabtree, communications & public affairs director. However, there are no plans to make vaccines mandatory for town employees, require weekly testing for non-vaccinated employees or make town rules for masking or requiring vaccination checks in stores and restaurants.

Wendell

Employees and visitors are required to wear a mask regardless of vaccination status in town facilities. But elected or appointed officials and members of the public are encouraged to wear masks during the meetings of elected or appointed boards, said Marc Collins, Wendell town manager.

There are no plans to make vaccines mandatory or require weekly tests for unvaccinated employees, he said, adding there are no plans to make town rules for masking or requiring vaccination checks in stores and restaurants.

Zebulon

Masks are required for staff and the public in public buildings. There are no plans to make vaccines mandatory or require weekly tests for unvaccinated employees, said Joe Moore, Zebulon town manager. Daily screenings are still required for all employees, he said. And there are no plans to make town rules for masking or requiring vaccination checks in stores and restaurants.

Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill never lifted its requirement that employees and the public wear masks inside public buildings, Mayor Pam Hemminger said. The Town Council will continue to meet virtually through September, she said.

Hemminger, Orange County Commissioners Chair Renee Price, and Carrboro and Hillsborough mayors Lydia Lavelle and Jennifer Weaver meet weekly and are hashing out vaccination requirements for public employees. Town staff could be required to show they are vaccinated or get tested for COVID at least once a week, Hemminger said.

However, Chapel Hill is not mandating yet that businesses require customers or employees to wear a mask, she said. The Chamber for a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro is talking with members about masking and other potential requirements, such as barring unvaccinated people from dining inside restaurants, she said.

“Right now, the governor says when you go indoors, you should be wearing a mask and we’re trying to push that message back out,” Hemminger said. “The outdoor dining has been so successful that it doesn’t seem to be as big an issue now.”

Orange County

The county re-instituted its mask mandate Thursday for vaccinated and unvaccinated visitors and employees inside public buildings. County employees and visitors also must maintain at least 6 feet of physical distance inside public buildings and outside.

Masks are not required for employees who are alone in their office or for people participating in outdoor activities, Commissioners Chair Renee Price said.

Employees who are vaccinated but have had close contact for at least 15 minutes with an infected person must wear a mask and get tested within three to five days of exposure. Positive COVID tests must be reported to the Orange County Health Department.

Unvaccinated employees in close contact with an infected person must quarantine for 10 days, and by Sept. 1, they will have to be tested weekly for COVID. The results will be submitted to Human Resources, according to a county email.

Vaccinated employees will be required to show proof to Human Resources by Sept. 1.

The county can’t mandate that businesses require masks indoors but is encouraging them to do what “they think is wise and sensible,” Price said.

This story will updated as additional information about towns and cities in the Triangle becomes available.