By Allison Perrine
NEW JERSEY – Get used to wearing face coverings. On Wednesday, Gov. Phil Murphy mandated that New Jerseyans wear masks both indoors and outdoors when social distancing is not practicable.
Previously it was merely “a strong recommendation,” Murphy said during a press conference July 8, but now it’s a requirement. The only exceptions are for individuals who are eating or drinking at outdoor dining establishments, people whose health is endangered by the face coverings or any children under the age of 2.
“This is absolutely vital when individuals find themselves in a crowded situation such as when walking down a packed boardwalk or in a line that is not properly spaced apart,” said Murphy. “I am proud that we were the first state to require face coverings in indoor businesses as we gradually reopen them,” he added. “Given what we know about the behavior of this virus indoors that was the right call from the get-go and it has saved lives.”
The decision to mandate face coverings in outdoor spaces comes as the state experiences a backslide in compliance of mask wearing and maintaining social distancing regulations, the governor said. More people are out as the weather is getting warmer and “not surprisingly,” the rate of transmission has similarly ticked up. Murphy reminded residents that face coverings are not political; it’s about life or death, sickness or health, and showing others a respect for their health as well.
At the same time, the governor has agreed to loosen restrictions on outdoor dining and motor vehicle commissions (MVC). After consulting with officials from the state Department of Health, Murphy is now permitting restaurants with at least two open sides to be considered outdoor and to reopen for in-person service. To qualify, the restaurant must have at least 50 percent of its wall space able to be opened.
“I’m pleased that many of our peer states are now following our lead in pushing back the resumption of indoor dining,” said Murphy. “We have made many very difficult decisions based on the metrics and public health guidelines, and this certainly was one of the most difficult,” particularly for the restaurant community. MVCs also reopened their offices this week and were very busy due to the backlog caused by the shut down months ago. Murphy compared the wait times to the “tsunami” of residents at the beginning of the pandemic seeking unemployment benefits and insurance. “The lines we saw yesterday were not to be unexpected. After a three-month layoff, we knew that countless New Jerseyans needed to get their new licenses, to register new vehicles or renew their paperwork.” That’s why any MVC employees who were furloughed during the pandemic can now resume their work. Additionally, MVC offices will be open six days a week, Mondays through Saturdays, throughout July.
Before visiting a local MVC, residents are asked to visit njmvc.gov to find the department’s online services. Many deadlines were extended at the beginning of the COVID-19 emergency and some paperwork can be taken care of online without an inperson trip, said Murphy.
As of Wednesday, July 8, the cumulative statewide total of COVID-19 cases reached 174,039, with 13,476 confirmed COVID-19-related deaths and 1,947 probable additional deaths that have not been lab-confirmed. The daily positive rate reached 3.23 percent by July 4, Murphy added.
“This is again why we are taking the steps to require everyone to wear masks and face coverings when outside,” he said. Part of the increases in the rate of transmission were expected as the state reopened. But some of it is from people coming in from other states where cases “have exploded and continue to explode.”
The article originally appeared in the July 9 – 15, 2020 print edition of The Two River Times.
