As Murphy lifts school mask mandate, here’s where masks are still required in New Jersey – NorthJersey.com
Gov. Phil Murphy on Monday announced the requirement to wear masks in New Jersey schools and child care centers will be lifted after nearly 18 months of enforcement. Starting March 7, local school district officials will decide whether masks must still be worn in their schools.
This marks a significant step for New Jersey, which has had some of the most stringent COVID-19 mandates in the country after the Garden State experienced being one of the early epicenters of the pandemic.
Yet, there are plenty of places in New Jersey where mask mandates are still in effect, whether required by municipal governments, the state or federal government.
Quick facts:New Jersey school mask mandate to end soon: Here’s what we know
Here’s a list of some places where you still need to wear a mask.
Some cities require masks indoors
When the omicron variant surged across North Jersey in December, several local governments enforced their own mask mandates. Some of those orders, such as Morristown’s mask mandate, have since been revoked as the local transmission levels have dropped. But others have extended those mandates.
Montclair
The Essex County township was one of several communities that adopted resolutions to require that masks be worn inside public places. The resolution was adopted in December, when the holiday season started to experience the surge caused by the highly contagious omicron variant. That mandate was recently extended through the end of March. There are some exceptions to the rule, such as if a person is participating in an indoor athletic activity and a mask may inhibit a person’s ability to perform that activity, and for performers during live indoor events.
Hoboken
In December, the city’s Office of Emergency Management issued an executive order requiring all residents and visitors over the age of 2 to wear masks while indoors in public. That order was modified in mid-January to exclude gyms, fitness centers and other health clubs that require vaccinations for staff and patrons, or require a face mask for those who are unvaccinated.
“This decision was made to provide an extra degree of flexibility based on feedback to the Executive Order, as well as contact tracing that has indicated that infections are an infrequent occurrence at gyms,” Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla said in the Jan. 16 update.
Officials said the order will be lifted in its entirety when the positivity rate for New Jersey reaches 5% for a one-week average, or when the city’s daily positive cases falls below the weekly average as compared to the first week of November 2021. The positivity rate statewide is currently at 6.76%.
Newark
In Newark, Mayor Ras J. Baraka extended the requirement for proof of COVID-19 vaccination for entry into certain establishments through Feb. 16. The executive order also extended a face mask mandate for residents and visitors while in public indoor spaces. Officials said they will consider the impact and effectiveness of the existing indoor mask mandate after March 4.
“We need to continue wearing our masks and getting vaccinated, as another form of protection, to remain on this path of progress,” Baraka said in a statement. “We will continue to be guided by data, and do what is necessary to prevent further spread to protect the people of Newark, those who work here, and visit.”
Mask up on public transportation
Commuters must still wear a mask when boarding public transportation via NJ Transit — and the agency reminded riders of that mandate in a COVID-19 update last week.
Masks are required on all trains, buses, light rail and Access Link vehicles, as well as in all stations and terminals. Masks are also required on platforms and at bus stops where social distancing is not possible, according to NJ Transit. Failure to comply may result in denial of boarding or removal, and customers who refuse to wear a mask may be subject to penalties.
Ride share services, such as Uber and Lyft, also still require masks for their users. In December, the Biden administration also extended a requirement that people wear masks on airplanes, trains, buses and other modes of transportation through March 18.
Health care settings
Across New Jersey, federal mask mandates persist, Murphy reminded the public at his press briefing on Monday. That means masks requirements remain for hospitals, nursing homes, long-term care facilities, and elsewhere.
According to the state’s website, face masks, social distancing, and other safety measures are still required in high-risk areas such as health care settings, correctional facilities and homeless shelters. Those who plan on visiting the resident of a nursing home or long-term care facility, for example, are encouraged to wear face coverings or masks when around other residents or health care personnel, regardless of vaccination status, according to the latest update by state officials.
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State and federal buildings
Federal mandates also require masks on federal properties, and the state mandate remains for masks required inside state government buildings. The majority of state offices open to the public, including New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission locations, continue to require masking of staff and visitors, according to the state’s website. On Monday, Murphy said officials are considering revisiting that mandate in the future.
Rules vary at sporting events
If you plan on heading to an arena to watch professional hockey, be sure to bring your mask.
Different venues follow different rules when it comes to COVID-19 safety protocols — often in line with whatever local orders are being enforced. Some events might even have their own requirements in addition to the local venue’s policy.
At Prudential Center in Newark, guests aged 5 or older are required to wear masks throughout events, unless actively eating or drinking. Guests are also required to show proof of vaccination. A person can request a medical exemption to the vaccination requirement and, if approved, they must provide proof of a negative PCR or antigen test withing 72 hours of their event.
Some venues, including MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford and Red Bull Arena in Harrison — which are both open-air stadiums — have less stringent regulations. At MetLife, masks are not required for entry, and guests do not need to show a negative COVID-19 test or proof of vaccination to enter the stadium. At Red Bull Arena, guests are also not required to be fully vaccinated or produce a negative COVID-19 test for entry. However, masks are still required inside the arena at all public indoor spaces.
Melanie Anzidei is a reporter for NorthJersey.com. To get unlimited access to the latest news, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
Email: anzidei@northjersey.com
Twitter: @melanieanzidei