October 11, 2021: The Board of Commissioners voted to lift the requirement of face masks in indoor facilities within the coporate limits. Face masks continue to be required when entering Town of Beaufort indoor facilitites.
Effective Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021 at 12:01 a.m.: Ordinance Proclamation
ORDINANCE REQUIRING THE USE AND WEARING OF FACE COVERINGS WITHIN Beaufort, NC TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF COVID-19
Section 1. Territorial Applicability
This Ordinance applies within the corporate limits of the Town of Beaufort.
Section 2. Requirement for Face Coverings
A. "Face Covering" means a covering of the nose and mouth that is secured to the head with ties, straps, or loops over the ears and fits snugly against the front and side of a person's face. A Face Covering can be made of a variety of synthetic and natural fabrics, including cotton, silk, or linen. Ideally, a Face Covering has two (2) or more layers. A Face Covering may be factory-made, sewn by hand, or can be improvised from household items such as scarfs, bandanas, t-shirts, sweatshirts, or towels.
B. Face Coverings Required In Indoor Public Places. Face Coverings must be worn by any individual while in any indoor structure, business, or establishment which is open to the public. Without limiting the applicability or breadth of the foregoing, Face Coverings shall be required by any individual within any indoor structure where all or a portion of such structure is generally open to the public. Furthermore, Face Coverings shall be required by any individual within non-public areas of such structures.
C. Exceptions. Face Coverings do not need to be worn by an individual who:
(1) Should not wear a Face Covering due to any medical or behavioral condition or disability as determined by a licensed health care professional (including, but not limited to, any person who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious or incapacitated, or is otherwise unable to put on or remove the Face Covering without assistance);
(2) Is under five (5) years of age;
(3) Is actively eating or drinking;
(4) Is seeking to communicate with someone who is hearing-impaired in a manner that requires the mouth to be visible;
(5) Is giving a speech or performance for a broadcast, or to an audience, where such person maintains a distance of at least 20 feet from the audience.
(6) Is working at home or is alone in a personal vehicle;
(7) Is temporarily removing a Face Covering to secure government or medical services or for identification purposes;
(8) Would be at risk from wearing a Face Covering at work, as determined by local, state, or federal regulations or workplace safety guidelines;
(9) Has found that a Face Covering is impeding visibility to operate equipment or a vehicle while actually operating same; or
(10) Is a child whose parent, guardian, or responsible person has been unable to place the Face Covering safely on the child's face.
D. Proof of Exceptions. Anyone who declines to wear a Face Covering based on the aforesaid exceptions shall not be required to produce documentation or any other proof of a condition constituting an exception. Individuals are asked to be truthful regarding the requirements of any applicable exception to this Ordinance.
E. Accommodations Permitted but Not Required. Businesses may accommodate exceptions if an individual states that an exception applies by choosing to offer curbside service, providing home delivery, or using some other reasonable measure to deliver goods or services. No business or establishment is required to accommodate an exception.
Section 3. Vaccinations.
Individuals are urged to obtain vaccination against COVID-19 so that increased vaccinations levels will continue to reduce infection rates and additional restrictions will not be needed.
Section 4. Additional Recommendations and Resources.
Individuals present within the Town of Beaufort are directed to follow any and all directives and recommendations set forth by the United States Federal Government and its designated agencies, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; the North Carolina Governor’s Office; the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services; the Carteret County Health Department, and any other governmental agency having proper jurisdiction to address the COVID-19 pandemic within Carteret County. The following resources are available to increase awareness of the actions which residents can take to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and protect everyone’s health:
Centers for Disease Control
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
Section 5. This Ordinance shall be enforced as provided in Section 10.99 of the Code of Beaufort, North Carolina.
Section 6. This Ordinance is hereby adopted and enacted with an effective time and date of 12:01 am on August 24, 2021. The duration of this ordinance will be reviewed by the Board Commissioners at its Regular and Work Session meetings.
Past actions in 2021:
- Effective Monday, Aug. 9, 2021 face masks are required to enter any indoor town facility.