Last Updated on August 10, 2021 6:24 pm
Recent changes have taken place regarding face-covering requirements in some sections and places in Watauga County.
Here's a recap:
App State announced on August 4th that face coverings are required in all indoor campus locations for students, faculty, staff, and visitors regardless of vaccination status. The announcement also noted that students, faculty, and staff who have not uploaded vaccine status will be required to participate in randomized COVID-19 testing throughout the year.
The Town of Boone is once again under a State of Emergency (SOE) order after a special meeting by the Boone Town Council on Friday. “While indoors in any establishment open to the public and in an area that is open to the general public, all customers, employees, and any other occupants or users of such area shall wear a Face Covering. While wearing a face covering, social distance (6′) shall still be maintained so far as possible.”, the order reads in part.
The wearing of Face Coverings does not apply to those that can not wear one due to a medical or behavioral condition, children two years old and younger, to a customer dining in a restaurant while that customer is sitting at their table or when a person is complying with directions issued by a law enforcement officer.
On Monday night the Watauga County Board of Education voted unanimously to now require masks for everyone in the Watauga County Schools system. Requirements now are for indoor masking for all teachers, staff, students, volunteers, and visitors when inside any school owned facilities and vehicles, regardless of vaccination status.
Exceptions would be made for employees who are in their offices, classrooms, or school owned vehicles while alone or only with members of their own households.
Face coverings will be strongly encouraged but optional for middle and high school athletes during practice and competition, and reserve the right to direct staff to further restrict this flexibility for athletes if conditions warrant.
