If you’re planning on doing any shopping or dining in the Montclair area this month, you’ll need to make sure you wear a mask.
While the State of New Jersey has not instated a mask mandate as of yet, the Montclair Township Council passed a resolution this past Tuesday, December 21, requiring that masks be worn indoors in public places, effective immediately.
The mandate passed by a 7-0 vote and is in effect for the next 30 days. Masks must be worn regardless of vaccination status.
Councilman Peter Yacobellis introduced this mandate and shared his thoughts via email on Monday. “On December 10th, I initiated a dialogue with my colleagues on the possibility of implementing an indoor mask mandate in Montclair given the surge of COVID cases in our town and our region. [We] will vote on a Resolution that would require masks be worn while indoors in public places regardless of vaccination status, effective immediately for the next 60 days.
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This decision does not come lightly, but I feel that the simple act of putting on a mask while one is indoors in a public place is the least we can do to ensure we are protecting our most vulnerable residents. We simply do not know enough about the Omicron variant and the efficacy of our existing vaccines and it is better to be safe than sorry,” the Councilman shared.
“I cannot stress enough the importance of getting vaccinated and getting your booster as soon as you and your loved ones are eligible. Please also continue to get tested in accordance with CDC guidelines.”
COVID cases in the state have continued to double as of Monday, totaling over 6000. Yacobellis shared that there have been 248 positive cases in town in the last week. Montclair Public Schools has also announced it will go virtual for its last few days of instruction prior to the holiday break.
“I hope that ultimately this decision will save lives and that Montclair will be seen as a safe place to come to shop, dine or see a show, knowing that we take both the virus and safety very seriously,” Yacobellis said.
