Gov. Cooper encourages schools, government agencies to lift mask mandates

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP/WWAY) — Governor Roy Cooper is encouraging schools and other government agencies to lift their mask mandates after a briefing on Thursday afternoon.

During Thursday’s press conference, Cooper says North Carolina has ranked among the lowest death rates during the pandemic. As cases are decreasing and the virus becomes less severe, Cooper is encouraging school systems and other government agencies to lift their masking requirements in an effort to “move safely to a more normal day-to-day life.”

The news conference is still going on. WWAY will have the latest from the conference beginning at 5 pm.

EARLIER

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper wants to talk about the state’s mask policies as COVID-19 case totals and hospitalizations have fallen in recent weeks.

Cooper scheduled a news conference for Thursday afternoon to discuss guidance for mask-wearing, which largely centers around schools. Cooper said last week that his administration was reviewing mask guidance in light of falling transmission rates.

ABC11 reports that sources tell them the governor will encourage local officials to roll back their indoor mask requirements, including at schools.

State health officials have strongly urged students and staff in K-12 schools to wear masks indoors, but it’s been left up to school boards to make mask-wearing required or optional. About half of the boards have now agreed to mask-optional policies.

Republican legislators like House Speaker Tim Moore want to let parents opt out of local school board mandates that make their children wear masks in school. A House education committee scheduled a Thursday morning meeting to consider such legislation.

A statewide mask mandate expired last summer.

WWAY will livestream Governor Cooper’s news conference here.