Effective Friday, May 28th, Governor Phil Murphy will lift the statewide indoor mask mandate originally imposed on April 8th of 2020 to combat the COVID-19 virus. Effective June 4th, all indoor gathering limits will lift, he also announced today at the War Memorial.

The 30% limit on large indoor venues with a fixed seating capacity of 1,000 plus will lift.

The orders represent a significant shift after 15 months of shutdown measures, and two weeks after other states moved in concert with CDC guidelines.

The governor said he felt no regret in waiting.

If you are vaccinated and feel more comfortable, ditch the mask, said Governor Murphy.

If you feel more comfortable wearing the mask indoors, “There is nothing wrong with being cautious,’ Murphy said. “We will not tolerate anyone being bullied, demeaned, or excluded” for choosing to wear a mask.

If you are not vaccinated, get vaccinated, he advised.

Buses, airplanes, trains?

You must remain masked.

Healthcare facilities, long-term care facilities and transportation hubs?

Also.

“We also will be requiring face masks in public-facing state offices,” Murphy added.

Also on Friday, Murphy will sign an executive order lifting the requirement of maintaining six-foot distancing between people.

Dance floors and bars at restaurants will open this Friday, too.