Masking Strongly Recommended

A day after federal officials tightened coronavirus mask guidance, Gov. Phil Murphy announced Wednesday that all people in New Jersey, regardless of vaccination status, are ”strongly recommended” to wear masks indoors in settings where there is “increased risk” — but stopped short of mandating face coverings again. New Jersey has one of the highest vaccination rates in the nation, with more than 70% of its eligible population fully inoculated. Eight New Jersey counties fall into the category of“substantial” transmission, according to CDC data, with Monmouth County is listed as having “high” transmission. The state said masking is recommended in the following scenarios with increased risk: crowded indoor settings, indoor settings involving activities in close contact with others who may not be fully vaccinated, indoor settings where others’ vaccine status is unknown and when an individual is immunocompromised or at increased risk for severe disease.