Masking Mandate #251 issued by Governor Murphy

On Friday, August 6th the Governor announced that masks would once again be required in all schools regardless of vaccination status.

Executive Order (EO) #251, which mandates masking in the indoor premises of all public, private, and parochial preschool, elementary, and secondary school buildings, became effective on Monday, August 9, 2021. 

Limited exceptions are as follows:

  • When doing so would inhibit the individual’s health, such as when the individual is exposed to extreme heat indoors;
  • When the individual has trouble breathing, is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove a face covering without assistance;
  • When a student’s documented medical condition or disability, as reflected in an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Educational Plan pursuant to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, precludes use of a face covering;
  • When the individual is under two (2) years of age;
  • When an individual is engaged in an activity that cannot be performed while wearing a mask, such as eating and drinking or playing an instrument that would be obstructed by the face covering;
  • When the individual is engaged in high-intensity aerobic or anerobic activity;
  • When a student is participating in high-intensity physical activities during a physical education class in a well-ventilated location and able to maintain a physical distance of six feet from all other individuals; or
  • When wearing a face covering creates an unsafe condition in which to operate equipment or execute a task.

For more information about this Governor's Executive Order Briefing, click here.