New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has signed two executive orders easing major COVID-19 restrictions for indoor and outdoor spaces. On May 17, 2021, Governor Murphy signed Executive Order 241 (EO 241), eliminating the mask requirement for outdoor spaces, and on May 24, 2021, Governor Murphy signed Executive Order No. 242 (EO 242), lifting major COVID-19 restrictions for indoor spaces.

Outdoor Spaces

Under EO 241, individuals in outdoor spaces are no longer required to wear masks or maintain social distancing, regardless of their vaccination status.

Indoor Spaces

Under EO 242, as of May 28, 2021 individuals in public and private indoor spaces are no longer required, to wear masks or maintain social distancing. Individuals who are not fully vaccinated, are strongly encouraged to continue to wear masks and maintain social distancing in indoor spaces. Fully vaccinated is defined as being at least two weeks removed from the second shot of a two-dose vaccination or two weeks removed from receiving a single-dose vaccination.

Effective June 4, 2021, the general limitation on indoor gatherings, which is currently at 50 people, will be lifted. The indoor gathering limit for political gatherings, weddings, funerals, memorial services, performances and other catered and commercial events, which is currently at 250 people, will also be lifted.

Exceptions

Indoor workplaces that are not open to the public for the sale of goods, attendance at an event or activity, or for providing services, must still require masks and maintain social distancing. Workplaces overseeing indoor spaces can continue to require masking for employees, customers and/or guests.

Masks and social distancing will continue to be required in the following settings:

• public-facing state offices, such as Motor Vehicle Commission agencies;
• health care settings, including long-term care facilities and office-based settings;
• correctional facilities;
• homeless shelters;
• planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation, as well as transportation hubs such as airports and stations; and
• child care facilities, such as youth summer camps, preschool programs and elementary and secondary schools, including charter and renaissance schools.

Please contact the author, Hunain Sarwar hsarwar@greenbaumlaw.com | 973.577.1782 with questions concerning the protocols outlined in this Alert.