Governor Cooper’s Executive Order 147 was released on Wednesday, June 24, 2020. The order extends Phase II until July 17, 2020. Employees, students, parents, and the community should not infer or assume that anything in this order applies beyond July 17, 2020. During the COVID-19 Pandemic, we have learned that state orders are often short-term and change.
Executive Order 147 applies to activities occurring through July 17, 2020. Since school facilities are still closed to the public, the order will have a limited impact on essential school system operations. The entire order may be found online at: https://files.nc.gov/governor/documents/files/EO147-Phase-2-Extension.pdf .
Local government agencies are strongly encouraged to adopt face covering policies similar to State Government and agencies headed by members of the Governor’s Cabinet. This is described in the Executive Order as on-site workers wearing face coverings when they are or may be within six (6) feet of another person. When “public-facing operations” are occurring, face coverings are required under the state Executive Order.
Haywood County Schools previously issued cloth face coverings to essential employees working onsite. Working within six (6) feet does not include brief or incidental contact. Employees working within six (6) feet of each other are required to wear a face covering unless they decline based upon one of the exceptions listed below. Likewise, employees interacting with the public (public-facing operations) are required to wear a face covering unless they decline based upon one of the exceptions listed below. These order-related requirements are in effect from 5:00 p.m. on Friday, June 26, 2020 through Friday, July 17, 2020.
Regarding our summer child care offerings, the Executive Order requires workers, other adults, and children eleven (11) years or older to wear face coverings when they are or may be within six (6) feet of another person. We are working with our child care summer camps to comply with the face covering requirements. Please note this is required when these individuals may be within six (6) feet of others.
This Executive Order does not require face coverings for those who:
- should not wear a face covering due to any medical or behavioral condition or disability (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)
- are under eleven (11) years of age
- are actively eating or drinking
- are strenuously exercising
- are seeking to communicate with someone who is hearing-impaired in a way that requires the mouth to be visible
- are giving a speech for a broadcast or to an audience
- are working at home or is in a personal vehicle
- is temporarily removing his or her face covering to secure government or medical services or for identification purposes
- would be at risk from wearing a face covering at work, as determined by local, state, or federal regulations or workplace safety guidelines
- find his or her face covering is impeding visibility to operate equipment or a vehicle
- are a child and whose parent, guardian, or responsible person has been unable to place the face covering safely on the child’s face.
Anyone who declines to wear a face covering for these reasons should not be required to produce documentation or any other proof of a condition.
We will release additional information about the opening of school and other forthcoming activities when guidance is provided by appropriate state governing entities.
Contact: Dr. Bill Nolte, Superintendent