New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 163, which requires individuals to wear face coverings in outdoor public spaces when it is not practicable to socially distance and keep a six-foot distance from others, or in situations where individuals cannot feasibly wear a face covering, such as when eating or drinking at outdoor dining areas.
“As I’ve said before, we know this virus is a lot less lethal outdoors than indoors, but that does not mean it is not lethal,” said Governor Murphy. “The hotspots we’re seeing across the nation and certain worrisome transmission trends in New Jersey require us to do more. In the absence of a national strategy on face coverings, we’re taking this step to ensure that we can continue on our road back as one New Jersey family.”
However, facial coverings aren't required in certain outdoor situations, including:
- When outside in close proximity with family members, household partners or caretakers
- When eating or drinking during outdoor dining
- If an individual needs to "briefly remove their face coverings for religious reasons"
- When swimming
- During "high intensity aerobic or anaerobic activities"
- During situations "where the presence of a mask would pose a risk to the individual's safety"
- Children under two-years of age
