New Face Mask Rules Hit North Carolina, Washington As Coronavirus Numbers Surge

North Carolina is the latest state to make face masks mandatory in public places with Gov. Roy Cooper announcing the state’s new measures in a Wednesday briefing. 

In addition to requiring face-coverings in public places and in retail businesses and restaurants, North Carolina will delay entering Phase Three of reopening and continue in the “safer at home” phase for another three weeks, Cooper said during the conference, explaining: “It’s clear that our numbers will keep us from moving ahead into the next phase of easing restrictions.” 

North Carolina is one of several states that has seen new highs of coronavirus hospitalizations in recent days, reporting an additional 1,721 Covid-19 cases on Wednesday, the second-highest single-day rise since the pandemic began  

Though not one of the states with hospitalization-highs, Washington announced a new requirement for face coverings in public on Tuesday after seeing consecutive records in new infections; Gov. Jay Inslee said the penalty for breaking this mandate is a misdemeanor citation. 

California is another state with spiking case numbers, a trend that Gov. Gavin Newsom addressed on June 18 with a statewide order requiring face coverings in public indoor spaces, including while shopping, riding on public transportation or seeking medical care.

On the same day, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer extended Michigan’s face mask requirement for pharmacies and grocery stores through July 15, an order which has been in place since March and was set to expire on June 12.