Murphy’s New Jersey mask ban remains in effect despite CDC, Presidential announcements

On Thursday, President Joe Biden and CDC Director Rochelle Walensky both told Americans, if they have been vaccinated, they no longer need to wear face masks indoors and outdoors.

Related: Why this group of New Jersey Republicans wanted to fine residents $15,000 for violating Phil Murphy’s social distancing executive order.

New Guidance released today by the CDC states If you are fully vaccinated, you can resume activities that you did prior to the pandemic. Fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance.

President Joe Biden who appeared without a mask today said it’s time for Americans to stop wearing them if they have been fully vaccinated.

In New Jersey, which has endured one of the most draconian COVID-19 lockdowns in America for the past year and one month, Governor Phil Murphy did not lift the state’s face mask mandate.

That message contradicts the message of the CDC director.

“Anyone who is fully vaccinated can participate in indoor and outdoor activities — large or small — without wearing a mask or physically distancing,” said Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the CDC’s director. “If you are fully vaccinated, you can start doing the things that you had stopped doing because of the pandemic.”

The Murphy administration did not say how long the state will continue to enforce the Murphy mask mandate.