Skip to main content
NC COVID-19 logo NC COVID-19

Topical Navigation

  • Home
  • About COVID-19
    About COVID-19
    • COVID-19 Information
    • Latest Updates
    • Symptoms
    • Slow the Spread
    • En Español
    • Contact Tracing
    • COVID-19 Variants
    • Download/Share Materials
  • Dashboard
    Dashboard
    • Summary
    • Vaccinations
    • Respiratory Virus Surveillance
    • Cases and Deaths
    • Hospitalizations
    • Outbreaks
    • Wastewater Monitoring
    • Reports
    • Data Behind the Dashboards
  • Vaccines
    Vaccines
    • COVID-19 Vaccine Information
    • En Español
    • Find a Vaccine Provider
    • COVID-19 Vaccine Boosters
    • Your Vaccine Information
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Info For Health Care Providers
    • Download/Share Materials
  • Testing & Treatment
    Testing & Treatment
    • En Español
    • Find COVID-19 Tests
    • At-Home Tests / Kits
    • Testing FAQs
    • Treatment / If You Feel Sick
    • Find Test to Treat Locations
    • Treatment Finder for Providers / People with Prescriptions
    • Info for Therapeutics Providers
    • Download/Share Materials
  • Information For
    Information For
    • Health Care
    • Child Care
    • Education
    • Business
    • Housing and Sheltering
    • Individuals, Families and Communities
    • Human Services
  • Guidance
    Guidance
    • Health Care
    • Child Care
    • Education
    • Vaccinations
    • Businesses
    • Individuals, Families and Communities
    • Human Services
    • Housing and Sheltering
    • Veterinarians and Animal Services
    • Law Enforcement
    • Staying Ahead of the Curve
  • NCDHHS
  • NC.GOV/COVID19
  • NC.GOV
NC COVID-19 »   Information For »   Individuals, Families and Communities »   Mask Guidance

Mask Guidance

The best way to protect your friends and family and yourself is a layered approach:

  • Get vaccinated, and boosted when eligible
  • Wear a mask when needed
  • Use social distancing in public

Surgical or procedure masks, like a KN95 or an N95, offer the best protection. Masks should fit well and have multiple layers.

Getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent serious illness, hospitalization and death. If you are not vaccinated, you are at greater risk of catching and spreading COVID-19.

Versión en Español

Updated Mask Recommendations

Effective May 4, 2022

Every day we learn more about the virus, and we now have a wider array of effective tools to reduce risk: 

  • Vaccines and boosters are widely available. They help protect against severe illness, hospitalization and death.
  • Treatment is available for people at higher risk of severe disease.

Because well-fitting masks provide extra protection, you may still choose to wear one. Businesses should make the best decisions for their employees and customers. Please be respectful of others who choose to wear a mask.

Masks are still required in places like health care and long-term care. This is because of the setting or federal regulations.

For more tips and information, visit CDC mask guidance.

Tips for Wearing Your N95 Mask   Mask Guidance for Improved Effectiveness

When should I wear a mask?

NCDHHS recommends you wear a mask if: 

  • You are at high risk for severe illness.
  • You are unvaccinated or not up-to-date on your vaccines.
  • You have COVID-19 or were exposed to the virus.
  • You want an added layer of protection.
  • You are in a high-risk setting (example: health and long-term care; correctional facility; homeless shelter).
  • You are in an area where COVID-19 levels are high.

 

Choose a mask that has two or more layers, fits snugly over your nose and mouth and is comfortable.

People who may not need to wear a mask

You may not need to wear a mask if you:

  • Have a medical or behavioral condition or disability. This includes trouble breathing, unconsciousness or inability to put on or take off a mask without help. 
  • Are under the age of 2.
  • Are communicating with someone who is hearing-impaired and your mouth needs to be visible.
  • Are operating equipment or a vehicle and find that your mask reduces visibility.

Additional Information

Research and Resources
  • The effectiveness of face masks to prevent SARS CoV-2 transmission: A summary of the peer-review science
  • COVID-19 Communications Toolkit

Individuals, Families and Communities

  • Individuals at Higher Risk
  • Faith Leaders
  • Mask Guidance
    • Clear Masks for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind NC residents
  • StrongSchoolsNC
  • Wellness Resources

Share this page:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email
Back to top

Contact Information

NC Department of Health and Human Services
2001 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-2000
Customer Service Center: 1-800-662-7030
For COVID-19 questions call 1-888-675-4567

Recent Tweets

Tweets by @ncdhhs

Stay Connected

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
  • RSS
  • NC.GOV HOME
  • Translation Disclaimer
  • Accessibility
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Open Budget
NC DHHS COVID 19 Logo
https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/information/individuals-families-and-communities/mask-guidance