Writer: Joshua Andino
2 min read 2021— Newark Mayor Ras Baraka has issued an indoor mask-mandate as the city’s positive cases reach new highs.
As concerns remain and case counts continue to rise due to the more transmissible Omicron variant of the coronavirus, Newark has implemented an indoor mask mandate. Mayor Ras Barak stated that should the city experience an over-15% positivity rate for three consecutive days, proof of vaccination will be required to enter businesses. Mask mandates were reinstated for all members of the Department of Public Safety, including Newark Police, Firefighters and Office of Emergency Management personnel, effective immediately.
New Jersey has seen cases continue to rise with 6,840 on Tuesday, Dec. 21, making it the sixth day in a row above 6,000 cases. The rise is the highest number of cases since last January, where the state peaked at over 6,900 cases.
“We are still in the midst of a pandemic and need to take whatever steps are necessary to safeguard and best ensure the health, safety, and welfare of our residents,” Baraka said in a statement. “I urge residents to take precautions to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Get vaccinated and tested, especially during this holiday season, as we gather and spend more time with family and friends.”
Under the executive order, residents and visitors must wear a face mask at all times while indoors at any public facility in the city. Patrons at bars must remain seated and masked unless actively eating or drinking. The city will look to implement additional mitigation measures should the positive rate reach the aforementioned 15% for three days.
Last winter, the state only had 6 days total with more than 6,000 positive cases, highlighting the increased risk of transmission from newer variants. “We are seeing a significant increase in cases right now. Yesterday we had the highest number of positive pcr cases, 6,533, that we have seen since January 2021. This surge is most likely due to delta and omicron variants. With cases rising and holiday gatherings and travel, we want everyone to protect themselves,” New Jersey Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli said.
The City also strongly advises that all school staff and students be tested before they return to school after the holiday break.
The order was issued as the state looks to reopen the vaccine mega-sites that were scaled back earlier this year in May as demand for vaccinations dipped. With boosters now widely encouraged for all who qualify, the state is looking to bring back the sites as demand for tests, vaccinations and boosters rise in the wake of the increased risk posed by the Omicron variant, which now accounts for 73% of COVID cases across the country.
“We are currently ramping up our level of testing throughout the state and folks should go out to get a free rapid test if they are going to visit others. We currently have more than 100 free and public testing sites throughout the state,” Governor Murphy said.
