State to Lift Gathering Limits and Most Mask Requirements Governor Roy Cooper State to Lift Gathering Limits and Most Mask Requirements May 14, 2021 N.C. Governor Roy Cooper announced today (May 14) that the state is lifting all mandatory capacity and gathering limits and social distancing requirements, as well as most mandatory mask requirements. In most settings, indoors or outdoors, the state will no longer require citizens to wear masks or be socially distant. There will continue to be a mandatory indoor mask requirement on public transportation, in childcare, in schools, in prisons, and in certain public health settings. The N.C. Department of Health & Human Services will continue to strongly recommend the use of masks in certain public places.