Boone Indoor Mask Mandate Goes Into Effect Tuesday At 5:00 P.M.

BOONE, N.C. – Growing concern over spread of the Delta variant is leading one local town to take action.

Beginning Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. everyone in Boone, ages two and older must wear a mask indoors.

Boone is the first city or town in the area to take the step to reimpose a mask mandate.

The town has declared a COVID state of emergency.

“It’s a small thing to do. It’s not a hard thing to do,” says Asheville resident Heather Abernathy.

She dropped off her son for the new school year at Appalachian State University on Monday.

The large number of students returning to campus is one reason town leaders decided to put the mandate back in place.

“I think safety’s imperative. You’ve got students moving in here. They’re going to be in classrooms together. Um, and the numbers aren’t trending the right way. So our number one issue should be public health,” Abernathy says.

Town leaders say another reason is because Boone is a destination for tourists, bringing people from around the region and across the country.

Exemptions will be made for those with medical conditions, including trouble breathing.

Those dining indoors can also remove their masks while sitting at their table.