Mayor Brian Stack has reinstated indoor mask requirements in Union City. Stack has signed an executive order putting the COVID-19 mitigation measures back in place. The order went into effect Dec. 29, and will remain in effect until rescinded by Stack.
According to the executive order, all individuals are required to wear cloth face coverings, at all times while in any public indoor facility including restaurants, bars, gymnasiums, dance studios, recreation facilities, retail stores, cafes, supermarkets, places of worship, commercial establishments, salons, barbershops, banks, healthcare facilities, and hotels.
The only exception to the mandate is that when doing so would inhibit an individual’s health and for those under two years old.
All Union City residents and visitors must wear a face mask at all times, except when eating or drinking or when distanced at least six feet apart from others for an extended period of time. The executive order lists sitting at a desk in an office setting as one such instance.
He first issued an executive order on April 16, 2020, requiring individuals wear face masks or cloth covering while out in public. Due to the rise in cases from the Omicron variant, the city has decided it is necessary to reissue the precautionary measures to further prevent the spread of COVID-19.
According to the executive order, creating additional safeguards in local public businesses and commercial establishments will lead to a safer environment for staff and members of the public.
This aims to help stop the spread of the infection in densely populated areas such as Union City, which is challenging given the close proximity of individuals in public areas.
The move in Union City follows a similar one by Hoboken, with its mandate also kicking in on Dec. 29.
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