North Carolina military bases to require face coverings at all public places

by Dwayne Daughtry (4/09/2020) — Fort Bragg, Seymore Johnson Air Force Base, and Camp Lejeune announced it would require anyone entering the commissary, exchange, or any other public area to be wearing a face-covering starting Friday, April 10. The policy was implemented because of recent COVID-19 developments and safety concerns.

North Carolina has a vibrant military community filled with military retirees and disability service-connected veterans. Many citizens on the North Carolina sex offender registry are veterans. Veterans on the registry may choose to use base exchanges and commissaries; thus, this rule affects them.

The rule change applies to all employees and patrons–including military personnel, family members, veterans, civilian employees, et al.

Examples of activities include: visiting the Commissary, PX, PMO, Contractor Vetting Office, Visitor Center, IPAC, Postal, Mess Halls, and Barber Shops, etc.

Anyone not wearing a face covering of some type will be turned away. They will be allowed to enter as soon as they return with a face covering.

Fort Bragg, public affairs office, said the face-covering does not have to be a mask. It can be any sort of cloth item that covers the nose and mouth.

There is no timeline as to when the facemask requirement will end.