New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 241 eliminating the requirement of masks in outdoor public spaces, which was established under Executive Order No. 163 (2020). The Order reaffirms the masking requirement in indoor public spaces and workplaces but clarifies that individuals at small gatherings in private residences are not required to wear masks indoors.
Following that announcement, the North Jersey Interscholastic Conference Athletic Association (NJSIAA) that sees Nathan and Andrew Armstrong compete released a statement.
Pursuant to Executive Order 241, individuals in outdoor public settings are no longer required to wear masks, regardless of their ability to maintain six feet of distance from other individuals or groups, and regardless of their vaccination status. Therefore, effective immediately, NJSIAA will no longer require spectators, coaches, officials, student-athletes, and all participants involved in outdoor events to wear masks. However, member schools are permitted to impose stricter mask requirements at their discretion.
“New Jersey Governor Murphy said, “Outdoor environments pose a lesser risk of transmission of the virus than indoor settings, and lifting the indoor mask mandate at this time could lead to a rise in transmission among those not yet fully vaccinated, including children who are either not yet eligible or who have just recently become eligible. As we approach our vaccination target in the coming weeks, we expect to be able to safely lift the indoor mask requirement soon.”
New Jersey recorded 20 Covid-19 deaths on May 19th, 2021, since the pandemic started New Jersey has had 1.01M cases and 26,018 deaths.
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