CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The county-wide mask mandate in Mecklenburg County is coming to an end.

The Board of County Commissioners voted Wednesday night in favor of ending the mandate requiring indoor face coverings effective Saturday, Feb. 26.

“Shifting COVID-19 conditions and higher community immunity led to Public Health's recommendation to revoke the 'mask mandate' and begin the shift to the next phase of COVID-19 Response,” the county said in a release.“Shifting COVID-19 conditions and higher community immunity led to Public Health's recommendation to revoke the 'mask mandate' and begin the shift to the next phase of COVID-19 Response,” the county said in a release.

Health officials say anyone in high-risk groups, those who are completing isolation or have been recently exposed to someone with COVID-19, should continue to wear a mask per guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Federal regulations requiring masks in certain health care settings, public transportation and in airports and on planes remain in place.

"Current trends point to a shift in COVID-19 conditions and indicate the need for a revised response plan that encompasses prevention, surveillance, and equitable distribution of resources," said Dr. Raynard Washington, Mecklenburg County Public Health (MCPH) Director.

The county also said K-12 schools are “strongly encouraged to develop plans to implement optional mask use by early March” based on current trends.

In a release Wednesday night, the county says its COVID-19 Response 2.0 “will focus on mitigating the most serious outcomes of COVID-19 — hospitalization, severe illness, and death—while empowering the public to take a greater role in preventing the spread of the virus.”

County residents are urged to do the following:

• Stay up to date with initial and booster vaccine doses
• Wear a high-quality mask in indoor public settings, as appropriate
• Stay home and take a COVID-19 test, if they experience symptoms. If positive, quickly notify any close contacts
• Seek early treatment for COVID-19 if you are medically vulnerable

"Getting a booster dose if you are eligible and continuing to wear a mask when appropriate, especially for people at high risk for serious illness, is the best thing you can do to avoid hospitalization and death from COVID-19," said Washington.