A mask mandate is in effect for all federal buildings in Sandy Hook as COVID-19 spikes in the area.

The National Park website says the mandate is to protect against higher levels of COVID in the area. According to Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Monmouth County is currently at High COVID-19 community level.

Some hospitals in New Jersey have brought back mask mandates during the winter season.

Numbers from the state's COVID dashboard shows cases in New Jersey are lower than they were a month ago, but higher than last winter.

The three counties with the most cases since Dec. 1, 2023, are Bergen, Middlesex and Essex counties.