By Frank Sinatra, AAP Editor

Today, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy announced that he will be signing an executive order mandating that face coverings are now required in outdoor public spaces when social distancing in not possible.

“Today I am signing an executive order requiring the face coverings by everyone when they in outdoor public spaces and social distancing is not practicable,” said Murphy. “This is absolutely vital when individuals find themselves in a crowed situation, such as when walking down a packed boardwalk or in a line that is not properly spaced apart.”

There are exceptions for individuals under two years old; for those eating or drinking at an outdoor dining establishment; and when wearing a mask would inhibit health or safety. Today’s order also reiterates New Jersey’s existing policy by requiring masks in indoor spaces accessible by the public, again with exceptions for those with medical conditions and children under two years old.

“Requiring mask outdoors is a step, frankly, that I had hoped we would not have to take. And by and large New Jerseans by the millions have been outstanding in their compliance when masking up to go outside as it was our strong recommendation,” added Murphy. “But unfortunately we’ve been seeing a backslide in compliance as the weather has gotten warmer and not surprisingly as a result, our rate of transmission has similarly crept up.

“Wearing a face mask, I remind you, is not about politics. It’s about quite simply being sick or being healthy. It’s about life and death. It’s about showing others that you care about their health, especially if you’ve not been tested and you don’t know if you’re an asymptomatic carrier of the coronavirus. It’s about showing your community what side you’re on in the fight against COVID-19.”

The governor reiterated that at this time there’s no vaccine or proven therapeutic for COVID-19; that social distancing, mask wearing, hand washing, and staying home when individuals don’t feel well are the only safeguards New Jerseans have to stop the spread of the virus. “I am gratified by the tremendous numbers of New Jerseans who had been doing the right thing, who had been masking up, who had been tremendous role models for your neighbors but for the out of staters coming to visit us,” said Murphy. “But with all that’s going around the nation, we have to continue to be an example of how a state rallies together to beat back COVID-19. So please, please, please mask up. Cover up before you step out. Show your community you care about them. Remember, it’s common sense for the common good.”