Morristown revokes mask mandate for indoor businesses, public venues
MORRISTOWN — A new executive order revokes the required use of masks inside businesses and public venues in Morristown.
Town officials announced the new order on Thursday, which takes effect immediately. The new rule comes after New Jersey's transmission of COVID-19 rate dropped below 1.0.
"I am still recommending masking up and hand washing often," said Mayor Tim Dougherty. "But let's not let our guard down. I know several people that got sick in the last month with COVID."
Last month, Dougherty signed an "executive mask mandate order" following a spike in new COVID-19 cases and the emergence of the omicron variant. The order stated mandated the use of masks inside "all businesses and venues located in the Town of Morristown that are open to the public."
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Thursday's new mandate revokes December's orders, but businesses and public venues can still require face coverings or face shields for staff and encourage guests to wear one.
Exceptions to the original mask-wearing mandate included children younger than age 2; people with disabilities who cannot wear a face-covering due to their disability; or a person for whom wearing a mask would create a risk to the person related to the work.
"This is something as a community we should take extremely seriously and I am thankful for the majority of people that masked up and continue to do so," Dougherty added.
Jessie Gomez is a local reporter for DailyRecord.com and NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
Email: jgomez@gannettnj.com
Twitter: @jessiereport
This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: Morristown NJ: Indoor mask mandate revoked for restaurants
