Meck County updates COVID-19 recommendations following Cooper’s order

CHARLOTTE — Mecklenburg County health officials announced Monday updated recommendations for COVID-19 safety in the community.

The governor issued an Executive Order last Friday that lifted restrictions on social distancing, most capacity limits and wearing masks indoors, except in specific settings.

[NC no longer requires masks, social distancing in most places: What you need to know]

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also recently released COVID-19 guidance for fully vaccinated people.

Mecklenburg County Public Health officials said its current fully vaccinated rate is 36%.

MCPH recommends the following:

Everyone 12 years and older should get vaccinated.
Unvaccinated individuals should remain masked in public, especially when indoors, continue to social distance and avoid large crowds.
Everyone needs to wear masks in high-risk situations, such as crowded spaces, childcare and schools, camps, long-term care facilities, health care settings, detention facilities, shelters, etc.

“All guidance from state and federal governments have recognized that there are differences in jurisdictions based on the amount of virus circulating in the community as well as the percentage of the population fully vaccinated,” said Gibbie Harris, Mecklenburg County Public Health director. “There are also some individuals in our community who are not eligible for vaccination or who are more at risk of infection that need to be protected.”

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Every entity in the county can make its own determination on restrictions, including county, city and town facilities, restaurants, businesses, etc.

(WATCH: ‘Our choice’: Debate over students in masks gets heated at school board meeting)