DARE COUNTY, N.C. -- County officials voted Friday to update the Emergency Declaration for COVID-19 to require face coverings be worn in both indoor and outdoor public spaces where social distancing cannot be maintained.

The measure will go into effect at 9 a.m. on Sunday, June 21. You can see the full order here.

Officials say the new mandate will cover all areas of Dare County, including the towns of Duck, Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head, Manteo and the unincorporated areas of Dare County such as Hatteras Island and the Dare mainland.

Several other North Carolina cities and towns have added similar face covering requirements in recent days, including Boone and Raleigh.

Dare County officials say the decision comes after discussions about current state guidelines, which strongly encourage the use of face masks. Unfortunately, officials say voluntary use of the coverings has not been effective in the county and local business owners have started requesting a stronger tool for compliance.

Some exceptions to the mandate will include those dining in restaurants, reasons related to medical or behavioral conditions, and children under 12. Additional exceptions can be found here.

According to a release, "Wearing a face covering or mask in public when unable to social distance is crucial to maintaining the health and safety of the Outer Banks community. Keep in mind that there may be justifiable reasons some  individuals are not wearing a mask or cloth face-covering in public. Please be kind, show compassion, and wear your mask to protect those who can't."