The largest city in New Jersey has once again imposed the mask mandate for indoors in light of the rising case of COVID-19 cases during the holiday season.
The mask mandate rules go beyond the requirements of the state and strongly recommend covering regardless of the vaccination status. The mask mandate was made official by Mayor Baraka hours after 6,000 new cases were announced for 6 days running.
Ras Baraka said in a statement at the city continues to be in the clutches of the pandemic, and the authorities are taking the necessary steps to safeguard the best interests of citizens. He urged citizens to take necessary precautions and halt the extent of the virus.
Mayor Baraka urged residents to get tested and vaccinated, especially as this is the holiday season and people travel more to be with their friends and family.
New Jersey reported 11 more deaths from the pandemic and 6,505 cases in all. The winter spike in the pandemic is being linked to the new variant, Omicron.
All the 21 counties in New Jersey are facing a high incidence of coronavirus, as reported by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. It has recommended mask mandate even for indoor public settings even if they have taken the vaccine.
Newark reported 519 more cases on Monday, though there were no reported fatalities. There have overall been 1,076 deaths and 47,272 infections in the county in total.
Mask Mandate Applicable Even To Restaurant And Bars Unless Patron Are Eating Or Drinking
Officials have said that it will be mandatory to be seated at bars and weak masks unless they are drinking or eating.
The Mayor said that the city may impose additional measures depending on the situation on the ground.
The city has also strongly advised all students and school staff to be tested for the virus before they rejoin schools after the holidays, as new measures were announced by officials.
Governor Phil Murphy has said that the administration strongly recommended the mask mandate in crowded indoors, indoor settings that involve people being close to one another, indoor areas where the vaccine status of the people are unknown, and where people are immunocompromised and at high risk of contracting the virus.
