Morris County is telling its residents to mask up.
Effective Thursday, the Health Department says residents need to wear a face covering when they are in any indoor public space or in a line to enter public spaces. Masks are also needed when people are “obtaining services from the healthcare sectors,” riding public transportation or ride-share vehicles and outdoors when social distancing can’t be maintained.
Morris County businesses also must require employees, patrons and others inside to wear face coverings, including when employees are working in spaces where food is prepared, packaged for sale or distributed to others.
There are several exemptions, including children under age five; people with medical conditions, certain mental health conditions or disabilities; and people who are eating or drinking at a restaurant, provided social distancing can be maintained.
Chase County has not announced a similar step. Chase and Morris counties combined their health departments last year.
Text of Morris County’s mask order
The Morris County Health officer has ordered the following order beginning at 12:01am on July 10, 2020. This order will remain in effect until rescinded by the Morris County Health Officer. This order may be expanded and or modified by the health officer as circumstances dictate in order to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in Morris County.
1. Any person in Morris county shall cover their mouth and nose with a mask or other face covering when they are in the following situations:
a. Inside, or in line to enter, any indoor public space
b. Obtaining services from the healthcare sectors, including but not limited to, a hospital, pharmacy, medical clinic, laboratory, physician or dental office, or veterinary clinic
c. Riding on public transportation or ride-sharing vehicle
d. While outdoors in public spaces and unable to maintain a 6-foot distance between individuals (not including individuals who reside together) with only infrequent or incidental moments of closer proximity
2. All businesses or organizations in Morris County must require all employees, customers, visitors, members, or members of the public to wear a mask or other face covering when:
a. Employees are working in any space visited by customers or members of the public, regardless of whether anyone from the public is present at the time
b. Employees are working in any space where food is prepared or packaged for sale or distributed to others
c. Employees are working in or walking through common areas, such as hallways, stairways and elevators
d. Customers, members, visitors, or members of the public are in a facility managed by the business or organization
e. Employees are in any room or enclosed area where other people (except for individuals who reside together) are present and are unable to maintain a 6-foot distance except for infrequent or incidental moments of closer proximity
3. The following are exempt from wearing masks or other face coverings in the situations described above:
a. Persons age five years or under (children age two years and under should not wear face coverings due to the risk of suffocation)
b. Persons with a medical condition, mental health condition, or disability that prevents wearing a face covering-this includes persons with a medical condition for whom wearing a face covering could obstruct breathing or who are unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove a face covering without assistance
c. Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing, or communicating with a person who is deaf or hard of hearing, where the ability to see the mouth is essential for communication
d. Persons for whom wearing a face covering would create a risk to the person related to their work, as determined by local, state, or federal regulators or workplace safety guidelines
e. Persons who are obtaining a service involving the nose, mouth, or face for which temporary removal of the face covering is necessary to perform the service
f. Persons who are seated at a restaurant or other establishment that offers food or beverage service, while they are eating or drinking, provided they maintain a 6-foot distance between individuals (not including individuals who reside together or are seated together) with only infrequent or incidental moments of closer proximity
g. Athletes who are engaging in an organized sports activity that allows athletes to maintain a 6-foot distance from others with only infrequent or incidental moments of closer proximity
h. Persons who are engaged in an activity that a professional or recreational association, regulatory entity, medical association, or other public-health-oriented entity has determined cannot be safely conducted while wearing a mask or other face covering
i. Persons engaged in any lawful activity during which wearing a mask or other face covering is prohibited by law
Businesses, Organizations, or facilities may impose more strict regulations than are ordered by the Morris County Health Officer, but may not be less restrictive.
Daniel Frese, MD
Morris County Health Officer
