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With cases continuing to increase around the country, including North Carolina, Gov Roy Cooper has decided that now is not the time to reopen more businesses. On Wednesday alone, NC had 1,721 new cases, the second-highest one-day total in the state. Overall, more than 56,000 people have been affected with COVID-19 in North Carolina since March.

Phase 2 of the 3-part pandemic response plan has been extended at least another 3 weeks. He has also made a statewide mandate for people ages 11 and older to wear face masks when in public. This mandate goes into effect Friday at 5:00 p.m.

Law enforcement can cite businesses that don’t require their staff and encourage their customers to wear masks, he said, and officers can charge customers who refuse to comply after being asked with trespass and remove them from a business.

Written by Clarke Jones

Source: WRAL