New Jersey’s coronavirus mask requirements have not yet been restored.

However, state officials now “strongly recommend” all residents, regardless of their vaccination status, to cover up when the risk of contracting COVID-19 in certain indoor environments is greater.

Governor Phil Murphy and Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli cited the increase in the number of COVID-19 infections in the state and the continued spread of highly infectious Delta variants to release updated guidance on Wednesday.

“Our indicators are moving in the wrong direction, and new data shows that Delta variants are more transmissible even among vaccinated individuals, which is why we made this strong recommendation,” Murphy and Percic Lee said.

The highly contagious Delta variant continues to spread across the country, leading to an increase in the number of COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations and deaths among unvaccinated people. The Delta variant has become the main coronavirus variant in the United States, Accounted for more than 80% of new cases nationwide.

New Jersey reported 1,196 new cases of COVID-19 infection on Wednesday. Statewide dashboardIn the past two months, cases in New Jersey have increased by nearly 75%. The statewide transmission rate has risen to 1.51, which is the highest level since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

If the state’s COVID-19 indicators continue to develop in the wrong direction, Murphy and Persichilli threatened that “stricter action” might be needed-such as restoring statewide mask authorization.

Murphy and Persichilli said: “We have repeatedly crushed this virus like other states in the country, and we are proud to have the highest vaccination rate in the country. Say“But at this point, considering our current indicators, we believe that the best course of action is to strongly encourage every New Jersey and every visitor in our state to take personal responsibility and wear masks indoors with caution. .”

At the same time, we call on all vaccinated and unvaccinated people to wear masks under the following circumstances.

• Crowded indoor environment
• Indoor environments that involve activities in close contact with other people who may not be fully vaccinated
• Indoor environment where the status of other people’s COVID-19 vaccine is unknown
• Indoor environment with weakened immune function or increased risk of serious diseases

Murphy and Persichilli also encouraged more unvaccinated residents to get the COVID-19 vaccine, and emphasized that a “safe and efficient” vaccine “is the most reliable way for us to end this pandemic.”

New Jersey has received more than 10.4 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine. More than 5.2 million people across the state have been vaccinated.

The state’s latest guidance was released only one day after the U.S. Centers for Disease Control released Issued new recommendations for wearing masks For all Americans. Everyone is now encouraged, regardless of vaccination status, to wear masks indoors in counties reporting high or high levels of COVID-19 transmission.

South Jersey County and counties around Philadelphia have only reported moderate COVID-19 transmission and are currently not affected by the guidelines.

However, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Atlantic Ocean, Ocean, and Monmouth Counties are currently experiencing large or large amounts of COVID-19 transmission. Cape May County is currently not affected by the guidelines because it has only experienced moderate transmission.

The CDC also recommends that anyone entering the school building should wear a mask. But the latest guidance issued by New Jersey on Wednesday did not specifically mention schools.

After initially requiring New Jersey elementary and middle schools to continue to implement the regulations on wearing masks indoors Removed the school’s requirement for COVID-19 masks In the last month before the upcoming school year this fall.

Instead, local school districts are allowed to implement the requirement to wear masks in the upcoming school year as part of their own health and safety protocols. If students, teachers and staff wish, they can continue to wear masks.

After the CDC stated in May that it was vaccinated Americans no longer need to wear masks In most indoor environments, New Jersey Ended the authorization of indoor masks Before the summer beach season on the Jersey Shore.

But Murphy warned at the time that ending the state’s mask requirements does not mean ending the COVID-19 pandemic.

Masks are still required in many indoor environments, such as healthcare and long-term care facilities and all forms of public transportation.

People who have not been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 are strongly encouraged to continue to wear masks in public indoor environments. However, Murphy said the state will not supervise its residents.