Montclair Will End Indoor Mask Mandate Early Amid COVID Drop

MONTCLAIR, NJ — The Montclair Town Council has voted to end the town’s local indoor mask mandate early.

During their Wednesday meeting, the council voted to change the expiration date for the mask mandate to 11:59 p.m. on Feb. 28. Watch the video below.

Under the local mandate, all local businesses and venues open to the public must require both staff and customers/visitors to wear face coverings over their nose and mouth while they're inside the establishment and within six feet of other people. Exemptions include children under 2, people with a disability who can't wear a mask, people who would be put at "risk" at work by a mask, and people who are eating or drinking inside a restaurant or bar.

The council had previously voted to extend the mandate until March 31.

• See related article: Montclair Extends Mask Mandate Until Spring, But Adds Exemptions
• See related article: Montclair Schools Still Undecided About Mask Mandate

According to the state health department, Essex County has been in “moderate” risk status for the coronavirus for multiple weeks, although the county is still in “high” risk status according to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention.

• See related article: Montclair COVID Case, Death Update: Omicron, Vaccine Rates

Councilwoman Lori Price Abrams referenced a recent tweet from Gov. Phil Murphy, which read:

“Our next and final briefing will be on Friday, March 4th – the 2nd anniversary of our first recorded case of COVID-19. As we move into our new normal and transition from a pandemic stance to endemic one, there is no longer the need for us to gather at a set time every week.”

“Let’s hope that’s really the trend and where it’s going,” Price Abrams said.

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