CHARLOTTE — Mecklenburg County has ended its mask mandate, but that doesn’t mean your favorite stores have.
On Feb. 16, the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to end the county’s mask mandate on the recommendation of Dr. Raynard Washington, county health director. It goes into effect on Feb. 26.
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Federal regulations still require mandatory face coverings in certain health care settings, public transportation and in airports and on planes.
Regardless of the official decision, businesses and venues still have the power to enforce their own mask mandates. Below is a list of how some how some places will proceed under the new guidance.
AMC theaters
Select AMC theaters require masks and will display rules with a sign on the door.
Atrium Health
Masks are required.
Carolina Place mall
Masks are not required in common places. However, some retailers may require them.
Charlotte Douglas International Airport
TSA still requires everyone in the airport to wear a mask at all times, including while riding the parking shuttle buses. Read more here.
Charlotte Premium Outlets (Simon Properties)
Visitors who are fully vaccinated may enter without a face mask.
Harris Teeter
Masks are encouraged, but not required. [STORY: Harris Teeter changing store hours as COVID-19 cases decrease]
Mecklenburg County Detention Center
The Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office will require all personnel, visitors, and residents housed at the detention centers to continue wearing masks indoors.
The Sheriff’s office said that the decision comes in part due to the Centers for Disease Control guidelines on congregate settings. The CDC states correctional and detention facilities are characterized by a set of factors that can increase risk, exposure, and transmission of COVID-19.
Planet Fitness
The wellbeing of our employees and members continues to be our number one priority. Planet Fitness employees, members and guests should adhere to individual state and local mask requirements.
Publix
Masks are encouraged, but not required. “We encourage all to do their part to slow the spread of COVID-19.” [STORY: Fully vaccinated Publix workers no longer required to wear masks]
Queens University
Masks are required indoors.
SouthPark Mall (Simon Properties)
Visitors who are fully vaccinated may enter without a face mask.
Spectrum Center
Masks are no longer required, but are recommended for those in attendance of Hornets games and other events.
At NBA games, fans sitting in areas within 15 feet of the court and the player benches will still need to be vaccinated or show proof of a negative COVID-19 test within 48 hours, as required by the league.
Starbucks
Masks are encouraged, but not required.
Target
According to its website, Target will continue to require masks for staff and “strongly recommend” masks for guests in areas with high risk of transmission, as defined by the CDC.
“We’ll follow all local mandates, as we have throughout the pandemic, and continue to monitor guidance from the CDC closely,” Target’s guidelines say.
UNC Charlotte
Masks are required in classrooms, Atkins library, student health center, campus transportation and indoor gatherings. Masks won’t be required at other locations on campus starting Feb. 26. Click here for more information.
(WATCH BELOW: ABC’s Dr. Jen Ashton talks about the importance of N-95 masks)
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