Masks will soon be optional at most state agencies and facilities

Masks will become optional in most state agencies and facilities beginning March 7. This comes as COVID-19 trends improve across North Carolina and coincides with updates in guidance from state health officials. Employees who are not vaccinated must be tested for COVID-19 at least once a week. Effective March 7th, unvaccinated employees may use at-home rapid antigen tests to meet the testing requirements in addition to PCR tests. According to a news release, face coverings may still be required in settings that agency heads determine to be high-risk, including long-term care facilities, homeless shelters, correctional facilities, health care settings, and where federal mandates require them.