Gov. Phil Murphy says he's not ready
to reinstitute mask requirements, now or when schools are back in session in
September.
Murphy made his comments Monday as
the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended a “layered approach" that
includes masks in schools for children over age 2 regardless of
vaccination status.
“I want to reiterate
unequivocally: I don't want to go back,” says Gov. Murphy. “But if we think
that's the right public health thing to do, then that's what the experts will
suggest. We watch this like a hawk and our strong, strong
preference is not to go back. We are among the most vaccinated states in the
country and that's a huge positive."
State Health Commissioner Judy
Persichilli noted the rate of positive test results has risen recently for
children up to age 13, and most sharply in children 4 and under.
Currently, children 12 and over are
eligible to be vaccinated.
Murphy says he “is comfortable
where we are” on mask mandates but is closely monitoring developments.
The public health emergency law
allows the governor to bring back indoor masking if the rate of transmission is
over one.
AP
wire services helped contribute to this report.