The Town Council of Boone is bringing back its mask mandate, requiring them even for people who have been vaccinated.
The emergency order reinstates rules put in place last June, requiring masks and social distancing for anyone in a public indoor setting.
The order notes that Watauga County has been a place of substantial transmission of the virus recently and it could become more dangerous when students return to Appalachian State University for in-person classes this month.
The university has also implemented a mask requirement of its own.
There are some differences in the new order compared to last year's version. An exemption for those who could not wear a mask for medical reasons remains. Now there's an additional provision to allow folks to remove their masks when seated in a restaurant.
And, a new exemption applies to younger people. It covers anyone two and under. Last year's cutoff was eleven.
Violations are considered a misdemeanor but police are encouraged to educate people about mask use and issue warnings first.
The mask requirement goes into effect Tuesday evening.