Sandy Hook Reinstates Mask Mandate Inside Buildings

HIGHLANDS, NJ — Even though the federal government officially declared the COVID-19 pandemic over in May of 2023, the National Park Service is now requiring all staff and visitors wear masks inside buildings at Sandy Hook.

The new policy went into effect Jan. 15. This only applies to inside park buildings; masks are not required outdoors in the park.

Sandy Hook is part of Gateway National Recreation Area.

A spokeswoman for the National Park Service said this decision was made based on the CDC's COVID-19 community-level tool, which as of mid-January shows COVID-19 hospital admission levels are at a "high" in Monmouth County.