Face Coverings Now REQUIRED in NJ Outdoor Public Spaces

As the number of U.S. coronavirus cases surpassed 3 million cases on Wednesday, Gov Phil Murphy announced that face coverings are now REQUIRED in outdoor public spaces when social distancing is not practicable. Also, travelers to New Jersey from 19 states where COVID-19 infection rates are rapidly increasing must self-quarantine for 14 days. Three new states (Delaware, Kansas, and Oklahoma) were added to the list.

Exceptions to the new out-door mask rule are permitted for the following individuals:

— Under two years old.

— While eating or drinking at an outdoor dining establishment.

— When wearing a mask would inhibit health or safety.

Travelers to NJ from High Risk States Must Self-Quarantine for 14 Days

In addition, travelers to New Jersey from the following states are required to self quarantine for 14-days. The travel advisory announced by the governors of New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut, applies to individuals traveling to or returning to New Jersey from states with increasing rates of COVID-19. This includes travel by train, bus, car, plane, and any other method of transportation.

The 14-day quarantine travel advisory applies to travel from certain states identified as those that have a positive COVID-19 test rate higher than 10 per 100,000 residents or have a 10 percent or higher positivity rate over a seven-day rolling average ("impacted states.")

As of Wednesday, July 8, there are currently 19 states that meet the criteria stated above:

• Alabama (added 6/24/20)

• Arkansas (added 6/24/20)

• Arizona (added 6/24/20)

• California (added 6/30/20)

• Delaware (added 7/7/20)

• Florida (added 6/24/20)

• Georgia (added 6/30/20)

• Iowa (added 6/30/20)

• Idaho (added 6/30/20)

• Kansas (added 7/7/20)

• Louisiana (added 6/30/20)

• Mississippi (added 6/30/20)

• North Carolina (added 6/24/20)

• Nevada (added 6/30/20)

• Oklahoma (added 7/7/20)

• South Carolina (added 6/24/20)

• Tennessee (added 6/30/20)

• Texas (added 6/24/20)

• Utah (added 6/24/20)

COVID19 Numbers

New Jersey has 174,039 cases of COVID-19 as of July 8 with 13,476 confirmed deaths.

Somerset County had nine new positives on July 8, for a total of 4,950 positive test results according the NJ COVID Info Hub. There are 457 total confirmed COVID deaths in Somerset County plus an additional 80 probable deaths.

Somerset County's COVID Info Hub, however, reports 4,398 positive cases with 458 confirmed fatalities.

Montgomery Township has reported 119 positive cases with six fatalities. Five of the six deaths were reported at Stonebridge senior residence in Montgomery. (Stonebridge has had 18 positive residents; 34 positive staff members; five confirmed COVID deaths among residents; and 0 deaths among staff.)

Rocky Hill has reported five total positives, according to the Somerset County's COVID Info Hub or six total positives according to the Montgomery Township Health Department. There are no new cases in Rocky Hill.