Masks Now Required In Teaneck Municipal Buildings

TEANECK, NJ — Masks will again be required for residents, customers and others who plan to enter any municipal buildings in Teaneck.

Township Manager Dean Kazinci announced the move in a Thursday message, stating that the decision was made "given the recent upticks in the rate of reported new cases in the State of New Jersey, especially the surge of the Delta variant which has now become the dominant strain in our area."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently designated Bergen County — and basically the rest of New Jersey — as a region with a "substantial" level of coronavirus transmission, as of this week. The CDC also recommended that all adults, even if fully vaccinated, wear masks indoors if they live in areas with "substantial" transmission.

Kazinci said the move was also made because the municipal buildings are once again staffed with township employees, meaning that, for Teaneck, "it is necessary to ensure broad application of relevant health and safety standards to protect our staff."

Here is Kazinci's official policy:

"Residents, customers, and other individuals entering any municipal building must wear a cloth or disposable face masks while on the premises, in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ("CDC") recommendations, except where the individual is under two years of age or where it is impracticable for an individual to wear a face mask.

The Township reserves the right to deny entry into any municipal building and/or worksite to any customer or visitor who declines to wear a face mask, except when doing so would violate State or Federal law. The Township may provide a customer or visitor who declines to wear a mask because of a disability or religious belief, services or goods via a reasonable accommodation, pursuant to ADA, Title VII and the NJLAD, unless such accommodation would pose an undue hardship to our operation."

The township manager also encouraged those who haven't done so to get vaccinated, and continue social distancing.

According to the latest New Jersey Department of Health data, 66 percent of the township has been fully vaccinated, with 72 percent receiving their first dose.

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