Gov. Phil Murphy has signed an executive order that will change the way New Jerseyans shop in public during the coronavirus outbreak.

Murphy says that the order is aimed to “mitigate overcrowding at essential retail stores” and to help slow the spread of the virus.

Essential stores, especially grocery stores, must limit the number of customers allowed in at any given time to no more than 50% of their approved capacity. Stores must also provide special shopping hours for high-risk individuals and put physical barriers between customers and cashiers and baggers where practicable. And regularly sanitize areas where the public congregate.

Perhaps the biggest change made by the order is that customers and employees will be required to wear face coverings when entering these stores – unless they are unable due to a medical reason or for children under 2 years old.

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Many New Jerseyans have complained that grocery stores have continued to remain crowded, despite the stay-at-home orders, as people rush out to stock up on supplies.

Several grocery store chains have already changed their hours, added barriers around cashiers and made shopping aisles one-way to cut down on congestion while shopping.