The Town of Boone will require face masks in public indoor spaces after declaring a State of Emergency Friday evening.
Boone leaders say this requirement and state of emergency comes after the Delta variant began spreading and reports of a sharp increase of COVID-19 cases.
The declaration states that customers, employees, and anyone else inside must wear a mask or face covering while indoors any establishment open to the public and in an area that is open to the general public.
The mask requirement has a few exceptions as it does not apply to people who cannot wear the mask due to a medical or behavioral condition, children under the age of 2, a customer eating at a restaurant while they are at their table or a person who is complying with directions issued by a law enforcement officer.
This requirement goes into effect on Tuesday, Aug. 10 at 5 p.m. and shall remain in effect until further notice.
The penalty for violating this mask requirement constitutes a class 2 misdemeanor.