Mask Up In Public Indoors For Holidays, CDC Recommends To Most Of New Jersey

NEW JERSEY — It was only a year ago that New Jersey required holiday gatherings to remain at 10 people or fewer. While officials haven't instituted any capacity limit for the upcoming winter holidays, the Centers for Disease Control still recommends that most of New Jersey wear a mask in indoor, public settings — even if they're fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

The CDC advised all who are eligible to get vaccinated against the virus, "because many generations tend to gather to celebrate holidays," the agency said in its guidance released Friday. Those who aren't fully vaccinated should wear well-fitting masks in public, indoor settings, according to the CDC.

But the agency also recommends masking for fully-vaccinated individuals at holiday gatherings in communities with "substantial to high transmission." As of Monday, that includes all of New Jersey except Union County, which has "moderate" transmission, according to CDC data.

The guidance represents suggestions to reduce COVID-19 risk for holiday gatherings. Mask requirements from the CDC and New Jersey extend to schools, healthcare settings, public transportation and other locations considered higher-risk.

Here's what else the CDC recommends for holiday gatherings:

• Avoid crowded, poorly ventilated spaces.
• If you are sick or have symptoms, don’t host or attend a gathering.
• Get tested if you have symptoms of COVID-19 or have a close contact with someone who has COVID-19.

Here's what to know about travel, per the CDC:

• If you are not fully vaccinated and must travel, follow CDC’s domestic travel or international travel recommendations for unvaccinated people.
• If you will be traveling in a group or family with unvaccinated people, choose safer travel options.
• Everyone, even people who are fully vaccinated, is required to wear a mask on public transportation and follow international travel recommendations.

The guidance also includes the following "special considerations:"

• People who have a condition or are taking medications that weaken their immune system may not be fully protected even if they are fully vaccinated and have received an additional dose. They should continue to take all precautions recommended for unvaccinated people, including wearing a well-fitted mask, until advised otherwise by their healthcare provider.
• You might choose to wear a mask regardless of the level of transmission if a member of your household has a weakened immune system, is at increased risk for severe disease or is unvaccinated.
• If you are gathering with a group of people from multiple households and potentially from different parts of the country, you could consider additional precautions (e.g., avoiding crowded indoor spaces before travel, taking a test) in advance of gathering to further reduce risk.
• Do not put a mask on children younger than 2 years old.

New Jersey has not yet issued its own guidance for Thanksgiving and the winter holidays. Gov. Phil Murphy said in early October that the Garden State will be "open for business," but he urged "common sense."

“The key will be how people behave when they are inside," Murphy said. "It won’t be going door-to-door trick treating, though everyone should be careful, as always."