The Guilford County Board of Commissioners has passed a mask mandate for everyone who finds themselves indoors at a public place – however, like most laws, there are some loopholes.

If you fall into one of the following categories you can continue going about your life happily unmasked.

The Guilford County Board of Commissioners discussed exceptions at the Tuesday, Aug. 10 meeting where the board adopted the mask mandate.

County staff proposed the first ten exceptions, and, after a brief discussion, the board added the last one – namely, that if you work in an office alone with no one else around, you don’t have to mask up.

Here’s the complete list of who can go maskless without being in violation of Guilford County law:

(1) Those who shouldn’t wear a face covering “due to any medical or behavioral condition or disability (including, but not limited to, any person who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious or incapacitated, or is otherwise unable to put on or remove the Face Covering without assistance).”

Young kids also get a pass from the county due to this next exception…

(2) Is under five years of age.

Thankfully, the county won’t make you eat or drink through your mask.

(3) Is actively eating or drinking.

The county also wants those with poor or no hearing to be able to communicate.

(4) You don’t have to wear a mask if you are “seeking to communicate with someone who is hearing-impaired in a way that requires the mouth to be visible.”

Also, whenever you take the stage, you can take the mask off…

(5) “Anyone giving a speech or performance for a broadcast, or to an audience,” doesn’t need a mask – if, that is, they maintain a distance of at least 20 feet from the nearest audience member.

Here are the final six exceptions that round out the new county law.  Masks are not required if the person…

(6) Is working at home or is in a personal vehicle.

(7) Is temporarily removing their Face Covering for identification purposes to secure government or medical services.

(8) Would be at risk from wearing a Face Covering at work, as determined by local, state, or federal regulations or workplace safety guidelines.

(9) Has found that their Face Covering is impeding visibility to operate equipment or a vehicle; or

(10) Is a child whose parent, guardian, or responsible person has been unable to place the Face Covering safely on the child’s face.

(11) Is alone in an enclosed space, such as a room, office or vehicle.

If you don’t fall into one of these categories, never fear – the pandemic restrictions will end someday.

Maybe.