N.J. unmasked: We visited 21 spots to see how many people were wearing face coverings. Here’s what we saw. – NJ.com

The signs are everywhere. Mask up, Jersey!

New Jersey has made face coverings required in nearly all indoor public settings from malls to grocery stores. And in early July, even though New Jersey’s coronavirus outbreak has slowed significantly, Gov. Phil Murphy took the precaution a step further by requiring masks to be worn outside when social distancing isn’t possible, save for a few exceptions.

The new mandate was necessary, he said, because there was no “national strategy” on masks and there had been “a backslide in compliance” as the weather became hotter.

“Not wearing a mask is an act of selfishness, plain and simple,” Murphy said previously. “It’s a sign that you think you’re invincible, and the hell with everyone else. The time for selfishness ended back in March.”

NJ.com readers, since the coronavirus outbreak first began in March, have been quick to use our tip line to alert us to businesses and locations that aren’t abiding by the latest mandates. The state also has an online form to report violations of the governor’s executive orders.

So, just how well are New Jersey sticking to the rules? NJ Advance Media sent a team of 16 reporters and photographers to every corner of the Garden State over the last week. We spent one hour in a different location from outside spots like busy boardwalks and a crowded state parks, and indoor areas like coffee shops and Penn Station.

The reporters then ranked them on a five-tier scale of masked, mostly masked, somewhat masked, mostly unmasked and unmasked based on the requirements particular to that venue, along with a short summary of what they saw during that snapshot in time. We were also on the lookout for mis-masked people (we’re looking at you chin maskers and exposed nose folks) and factored that into the ranking.

Here’s what we found.

ATLANTIC COUNTY

Venue: Bally’s Beach Bar and Landshark Bar & Grill in Atlantic City

Requirement: Face masks are required when not eating or drinking and social distancing isn’t possible.

Date/time: Sunday at 8 p.m.

Weather: Sunny in low 80s with a feels-like temp in the high 80s

Ranking: Mostly masked

Observations: Security monitored the entrance to Bally’s beach bar and asked those not wearing face masks to put one on. Inside, there was plenty of space to social distance as tables were separated. Most people wore masks while ordering drinks and while moving about. Once seated and the drinking commenced, no masks were being worn and most wore a mask while dancing to the DJ spinning tunes. All the staff was masked correctly. A 15-minute walk down a very crowded and unmasked boardwalk was the Landshark Bar & Grill which sits right by the Wheel at Steel Pier. The same requirements were in place there. Once inside, guests mostly obeyed the mask rule when ordering drinks but took them off after. People in groups stayed together and kept their distance from others as best they could. While dancing to the DJ, hardly anyone wore a face mask.

BERGEN COUNTY

Venue: Westfield Garden State Plaza Mall – indoors, Paramus.

Requirement: Masks must be worn indoors

Date/time: Tuesday at 4:25 p.m.

Ranking: Mostly masked

Observations: Most people at the mall were walking around with masks properly in place over their mouths and noses. A few had lowered or removed their masks to eat or talk on the phone. Some, even while sitting close to others, had their masks completely lowered off their faces. In the food court, which has shut down all indoor seating, most people were wearing their masks, though some removed them to eat as they walked through the mall. Most employees had their masks on properly, though some — when there were no customers in their stores or at their kiosks — lowered their masks.

BURLINGTON COUNTY

Venue: Walmart Supercenter, Cinnaminson.

Requirement: Masks to be worn by all employees and shoppers

Date/time: Tuesday at 2 p.m.

Weather: Indoors

Ranking: Mostly masked

Observations: Parking spaces were not easy to find in front of the store. There was a greeter at the door but no indication of a capacity limit being enforced. Inside, there was ample space for social distancing, which was mostly observed. Masks were worn by everyone, some with it pulled down around their chin, but not many. Some had nostrils exposed, but not many.

CAMDEN COUNTY

Venue: Cherry Hill Mall

Requirement: Masks to be worn by everyone.

Date/time: Sunday at 2 p.m.

Weather: Indoors

Ranking: Mostly Masked

Observations: The parking lot in front of Nordstrom, the lead anchor store, was packed. Inside the mall, there was brisk foot traffic of shoppers in aisles, few bothering with 6-feet of social distance, but just about everyone properly wore masks. There were some exceptions. Some let the top of the mask slip under their noses, but not many. Just about all of the checkout counters in the department stores had plexiglass barriers in front of clerks, who wore masks and gloves properly.

CAPE MAY COUNTY

Venue: Wildwoods Boardwalk

Requirement: Face masks when you can’t practice social distancing, unless you’re eating or drinking.

Date/time: Sunday at 1 p.m.

Weather: Sunny in low 80s with a feels-like temp in the high 80s

Ranking: Unmasked

Observations: An extremely hot and humid Sunday kept people on the beach more than walking the famous Wildwoods Boardwalk. But those who decided to step away from whatever breeze was possible along the water found themselves on a mostly maskless boardwalk. Walking along the North end of the boardwalk there was plenty of room to social distance but as you made your way south, the boardwalk gets narrower and social distancing becomes almost impossible. While very few people actually wore a mask while walking the boards, most carried a mask or had one around their neck. The same can be said for those waiting in line for food — very few wore masks — and at some eating establishments, employees were not wearing masks. Signs outside of stores greeted guests asking them to wear a mask. While most did there were a few people who wandered the stores or played arcade games without one.

CUMBERLAND COUNTY

Venue: Wawa, Vineland.

Requirement: Masks should be worn in all indoor spaces open to the public, including businesses.

Date/time: Tuesday at 11:30 a.m.

Weather: 92 degrees, sunny

Ranking: Masked

Observations: Everyone observed entering the Wawa during the busy lunch hour was wearing a mask, bandana or other facial covering. All staff were masked properly, with the exception of a gas-pumper who wore a mask below his nose. While not everyone kept their distance inside the store, it was difficult given the large number of people waiting for lunch orders. The store also has plexiglass barriers between staff and customers.

ESSEX COUNTY

Venue: Penn Station Newark, train level and bus lanes

Requirement: Masks must be worn in stations and on trains and buses.

Date/time: Friday at 8 a.m.

Weather: 70 degrees, cloudy and humid

Ranking: Masked

Observations: Most passengers in the station, on train platforms and in the bus lanes had masks on. Those who weren’t either had their mask pulled off their nose or had their mask off. During an hour in the station, six people had their masks off, two were sitting on a bench having a conversation, another was talking on a phone. All NJ Transit and PATH employees were wearing masks. NJ Transit had messages about mask-wearing on video screens and periodic announcements in the state. However, PATH had reminders almost everywhere, on video screens, free-standing signs and offered free hand sanitizer. Roughly 90-95% of the people observed had their faces covered properly.

GLOUCESTER COUNTY

Venue: Baseball game at Washington Lake Park – outdoors, Washington Township.

Requirement: Masks should be worn outdoors when social distancing is not possible

Date/time: Friday at 1 p.m.

Weather: 82 degrees, mostly cloudy

Ranking: Unmasked

Observations: There were very few people wearing masks overall – less than a dozen – and none seated on the two sets of bleachers just past each dugout during our observation were wearing masks. In a crowd of approximately 250 people, there were pockets of fans who were socially distanced. There were also small groups of fans down each baseline and in areas between the dugouts who were not wearing masks and not following social distancing protocols. Players and coaches in dugouts were not consistently wearing masks, but the athletic trainer on-site wore a mask the entire game and also maintained proper social distancing rules.

HUDSON COUNTY

Venue: Jersey City pedestrian walkway, outdoors, Jersey City

Requirement: Masks required unless at a restaurant table

Date/time: Saturday at 6 p.m.

Weather: 90 degrees, sunny

Ranking: Somewhat masked

Observations: On first glance, the number of unmasked faces can be a bit jarring on Newark Avenue in Jersey City. But that’s because most of the walkway has become an outdoor dining room for the myriad restaurants. Diners aren’t required to wear masks at the table, and the tables are mostly socially distanced. As for those walking around, it was a mixed bag. The majority of people had masks, but there were plenty of masks on chins and an unnerving number of people without them at all despite clear signage throughout the plaza reminding pedestrians that they are required.

HUNTERDON COUNTY

Venue: Starbucks – indoors and outdoors, Flemington

Requirement: Masks are required indoors. This Starbucks location posted a sign asking its customers to wear their masks while they’re at the drive-thru window.

Date/time: Friday at 8 a.m.

Weather: 70 degrees, cloudy

Ranking: Mostly masked

Observations: People in their cars do not typically wear masks while placing their orders at the machine. But, there is a sign posted on the drive-thru window asking all customers to “help baristas” by wearing a mask when picking up their orders. Some chin strap the mask until arriving at the window, a few have masks hanging off their rearview mirrors, and others scramble to find one in the backseat of their cars. The vast majority obey the sign and wear the mask appropriately (covering both their mouth and nose) while at the window.

MERCER COUNTY

Venue: Wegmans – indoors (and outdoors), Princeton

Requirement: Masks are required indoors, and should be worn outdoors when social distancing is not possible.

Date/time: Friday at 12:15 p.m.

Weather: 79 degrees, cloudy

Ranking: Masked

Observations: Upon entering the store, customers are immediately met with signs informing them that masks are required and all carts have been cleaned and sanitized. Markings have been made at each checkout line denoting where people should stand with their carts to remain six feet apart from another, and piles of hand sanitizers and face coverings are stacked in bins near a few of these lines. There are times in which customers are not six feet apart from each other as they shop in aisles — either because they’re shuffling past one another, or looking for items located in a shared space. Plexiglass completely separates customers from employees at the pharmacy. A few shoppers are wearing face coverings that dip below their noses, but every single customer has one on. As they exit the store, shoppers keep their masks on as they walk to their cars — and even as they unload their groceries.

MIDDLESEX COUNTY

Venue: Saint James Church, Woodbridge (indoor mass)

Requirement: Masks should be worn indoors

Date/time: Sunday at 10 a.m.

Ranking: Masked

Observations: All of the around 150 parishioners were masked, which is required under the state guidelines. The pastor did not wear a mask while preaching. Ushers at the entrance directed people to sit at every other pew and promoted social distancing. Hymn books were removed from the pews and a sign outside the church advised attendees not to gather after the service.

MONMOUTH COUNTY

Venue: Boardwalk, Asbury Park

Requirement: Masks should be worn outdoors when social distancing is not possible

Date/time: Saturday at 12:30 p.m.

Weather: 85 degrees, mostly sunny

Ranking: Mostly unmasked

Observations: Despite many signs along the boardwalk reminding people to wear face coverings, more patrons than not chose to ignore the instructions. This was a prime summer beach day — daily passes were sold out — and while social distancing was mostly possible if you kept moving, the boards were still plenty crowded with folks coming off and on the beach, or heading to one of the many oceanfront restaurants. Police patrolled the boardwalk using electric carts, though during our visit, we did not see them stop any mask-less patrons. They just strolled on by. In fact, some of the officers themselves weren’t wearing their masks properly (under their nose) or not wearing them at all.

MORRIS COUNTY

Venue: Florham Park Municipal Pool

Requirement: Masks are encouraged while not in the pool when social distancing of six feet cannot be maintained. Mask should not be worn while swimming.

Date/time: Saturday at 3 p.m.

Weather: 90 degrees, sunny

Ranking: Unmasked

Observations: Of the approximately 100 pool visitors, the number of people wearing masks as required could be counted on one hand. Some patrons did enter the facility wearing masks and then removed them. Almost everybody sat in lawn chairs maskless, spread apart, though some in larger groups of five to 10. Children playing basketball or swimming in the pool did not wear masks, nor did lifeguards, which is not required. Kids were not social distancing in the pool, but lifeguards were asking kids to wait their turn in line for the water slides. The only employee wearing a mask was the food vendor, handing out ice cream and snacks to patrons. People waiting in line were not spaced six feet apart from one another.

OCEAN COUNTY

Venue: Bayside fishing/crabbing dock, north end of town, Seaside Heights

Requirement: Masks should be worn outside when social distancing is not possible

Date/time: Sunday at 9:00 a.m.

Weather: 85 degrees, sunny

Ranking: Unmasked

Observations: There were 30 people (11 of them kids) on the dock. Not one was wearing a mask. There were two family groups – mom, dad, some combination of sons and daughters. Members of each family were in close proximity to each other, three feet or less. Two older guys sat within two feet of each other on a bench. There were two father-son pairings, each father-son shoulder to shoulder. At 9:25 a.m., there were 24 people on the dock; none wore masks. At 9:42, two women, with two kids under 10, arrived, all four with masks, only ones to wear masks in the entire hour.

PASSAIC COUNTY

Venue: The Great Falls of the Passaic River

Requirement: Masks are required outdoors when social distancing is not possible.

Date/time: Saturday at noon

Weather: 90 degrees, sunny

Ranking: Mostly masked

Observations: As required by the National Park Service, most patrons visiting the Great Falls wore masks and maintained social distancing. Crossing the bridge that overlooks the falls created an opportunity for some closer contact and there was one overlook spot where people congregated, but again, most wore their masks. If people weren’t wearing face coverings it was often momentarily to pose for a picture in front of the majestic falls. Some unmasked visitors held their masks in hand and placed them back over their mouths when passing another person. Rangers were all masked but not enforcing the mask mandate.

SALEM COUNTY

Venue: John Fenwick Service Area, New Jersey Turnpike northbound in Oldmans Township.

Requirement: Masks should be worn in all indoor spaces open to the public, including service plazas.

Date/time: Tuesday at 1:15 p.m.

Weather: 93 degrees, sunny

Ranking: Masked

Observations: All but two people observed entering the Turnpike rest stop during the hour were masked, including small children. All the gas attendants were masked but the masks did not always cover their noses. The service area was relatively quiet — all but one of the restaurants in the plaza were closed, as was the seating area. A few families ate outside on tables without masks, which are not required as long as social distancing with others can be maintained. The need for masks inside service plazas was advertised on signs on the Turnpike before the plaza.

SOMERSET COUNTY

Venue: Duke Farms Market – outdoors

Requirement: Face coverings are required outdoors when social distancing isn’t possible

Date/time: Sunday at 11 a.m.

Weather: 92 degrees and Sunny

Ranking: Masked

Observations: Everyone wore a mask when required. Every vendor and visitor wore a mask at the market. Some put them on as they walked into the lot, but all wore them. When people were eating gelato they would walk away from the crowd more than six feet and then lower the mask to eat. People took turns at one of the entrances that is a narrow footpath that has fences on both sides. Hundreds came and went and it was very hot with a driving sun and one vendor did pop a straw up under the mask to take a drink, but no one was within six feet.

SUSSEX COUNTY

Venue: High Point State Park public beach at Lake Marcia

Requirement: Masks must be worn in and around restrooms, guest houses and buildings but are required outside only when maintaining social distance is not possible.

Date/time: Monday at 11:30 a.m.

Weather: 87 degrees, sunny skies

Ranking: Masked

Observations: While most on the sand beach and grass lawn were not wearing face coverings, as doing so was not required, visitors appeared to be spreading out to avoid close contact. Two women arrived with three children, and all five were wearing masks. So was the state employee monitoring the lone access point to the beach from the lawn, in an effort to prevent overcrowding. Some visitors brought masks for use where needed. A woman ducked inside the concession area to order food for her two children and all three were wearing masks. The employee at the entrance collecting a $5 fee from arriving drivers was wearing a mask.

UNION COUNTY

Venue: Downtown Cranford

Requirement: Masks are required outdoors when social distancing is not possible. Masks are required at all indoor public spaces and are not required while eating or drinking

Date/time: Friday at 6 p.m.

Weather: 85 degrees, mostly sunny

Ranking: Somewhat masked

Observations: Of the people strolling through downtown Cranford, about half wore masks and half did not. Those who opted for no face covering were almost always maintaining social distance. Shoppers sitting and eating were not wearing masks and shoppers waiting in line or going into stores and restaurants were all wearing masks, as per the rules. However, some restaurants barely spaced their outdoor dining tables apart more than two feet.

WARREN COUNTY

Venue: Target store (indoors), Hackettstown

Requirement: Masks must be worn inside the store

Date/time: Tuesday at 11 a.m.

Ranking: Masked

Observations: A banner near the entrance informed visitors that everyone entering the building must be wearing a face covering, except for those under age 2 or for whom masking up might involve a health risk. All observed employees were masked and, among the customers, only a small child – who appeared to be under 2 – was not using a face covering.

OVERALL RESULT

If you didn’t keep score as you went along, here’s how things turned out.

• Masked – 8
• Mostly masked – 6
• Somewhat masked – 2
• Mostly unmasked – 1
• Unmasked – 4

Not too shabby New Jersey! Of the 21 locations, two-thirds were deemed masked or mostly masked.

The divide between the masked and unmasked fell primarily along the indoor-outdoor lines.

After months of requiring facial coverings at indoor venues, most residents are pretty accustomed to shopping with masks, particularly with all the enforcement by businesses. While we still continue to get reader tips about mask issues indoors, particularly at malls, the two we visited fared pretty well with both landing in the mostly masked category.

But once we get outdoors, things look a bit more shaky. That restriction remains relatively new having just been announced this month and is admittedly nearly impossible to enforce in most spots.

READ MORE ABOUT MASK WEARING IN NEW JERSEY

Contributing reporters and photographers include: Josh Axelrod, Bill Duhart, Aris Economopolous, Rebecca Everett, Caroline Fasset, Peter Genovese, Tim Hawk, Rob Jennings, Larry Higgs, Ed Murray, Kevin Minnick, Bobby Olivier, Patti Sapone, Jeremy Schneider, Rodrigo Torrejon and Avalon Zoppo.

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