The Hoboken mask mandate that was enacted in late December is being lifted. Per a press release and Nixle alert sent out this evening, Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla, the Hoboken Office of Emergency Management (OEM), and the Hoboken Health Department today announced the repeal of OEM’s Executive Order requiring face masks in indoor locations of public accommodation.
The end of the mask requirement will take effect Wednesday, Feb. 9. Hudson County’s positivity rate fell below 5% as of Monday, Feb. 7, which provided the basis for the order’s repeal.
“In recent days, the numbers make it clear that cases are significantly falling in the region, which is welcome news. This data point, combined with Hoboken’s high vaccination rate, robust testing options, and low hospitalizations, make it possible for us to lift our indoor mask requirement. I thank the many residents and businesses who adhered to this safety precaution as we navigated through the Omicron phase of the pandemic,” Mayor Bhalla shared via Nixle alert.
Local Hoboken businesses will continue to have the option to require face masks for entry into their business.
“While Hoboken businesses no longer are required to ask patrons to wear face masks when entering their establishment, some may understandably continue to do so,” added Mayor Bhalla. “I ask residents to respect those businesses, who may choose to take an extra layer of precaution to protect their staff and customers.”
Any mask requirements for schools in Hoboken will continue to be subject to the authority of each individual school or district.
Visitors to municipal facilities will be required to wear face masks, regardless of vaccination status, for the near future.
This news comes on the heels of today’s announcement by Governor Murphy that New Jersey schools will no longer be required to enforce mask policies as of the 2nd week of March.
