Mountain Mobility and the Federal Mask Mandate

Effective Feb. 15, 2021

On Jan. 29, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an order requiring the wearing of masks by public transportation users to prevent spread of the virus that causes COVID-19. Per the order, public transportation operators must require all customers wear masks when boarding, disembarking, and for the duration of travel. All Mountain Mobility staff, customers, and guests (age 2 or older) must adhere to the requirements listed below.

Mountain Mobility must enforce the following:

• All persons riding must properly wear a mask while boarding, traveling on, and disembarking a vehicle.
• Customers that refuse to wear a proper mask (see more below) will be denied service.

Masks:

• Must be properly worn to completely cover the mouth and nose
• Should fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face
• Should be secured to the head with ties, ear loops, or elastic bands that go behind the head
• Should be a solid piece of material without slits, exhalation valves, or punctures
• Should (if cloth) be made with two or more layers of a breathable fabric that is tightly woven (i.e., fabrics that do not let light pass through when held up to a light source)
• If a gaiter is worn (instead of a mask) it should have two layers of fabric or be folded to make two layers.

The following do not fulfill the requirements of the Order:

• Masks worn in a way that does not cover both the mouth and nose
• Face shields or goggles (face shields or goggles may be worn to supplement a proper mask (see above))
• Scarves, ski masks, balaclavas, or bandannas
• Shirt or sweater collars (i.e., turtleneck collars) pulled up over the mouth and nose.
• Masks made from loosely woven fabric or that are knitted (i.e., fabrics that let light pass through when held up to a light source)
• • Masks made from materials that are hard to breathe through (i.e. vinyl, plastic or leather)
• Masks containing slits, exhalation valves, or punctures
• Masks that do not fit properly (large gaps, too loose or too tight)

Under the CDC’s order, customers may qualify for an exemption from the above rules if they have a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and can provide medical documentation by a licensed medical provider.

Mask requirements shall remain in effect until further notice.

For customers with questions about the information please contact:
William High
Planner II
william.high@buncombecounty.org
(828) 250-4844