Authorities in New Jersey are permitting businesses like truck stops to refuse service to customers who are not wearing some form of face covering in an attempt to slow the COVID-19 pandemic.
Last week, Governor Phil Murphy signed an executive order expanding requirements on all businesses that are still open to the public during the Coronavirus emergency.
The order requires both customers and workers to wear cloth face coverings while on the premises, except where doing so would inhibit that individual’s health or where the individual is under two years of age. No face covering is required for drive thru or curbside pickup food orders.
According to the executive order, “if a customer refuses to wear a cloth face covering for non-medical reasons and if such covering cannot be provided to the individual by the business at the point of entry, then the business must decline entry to the individual, unless if the business is providing medication, medical supplies, or food, in which case the business policy should provide alternate methods of pickup and/or delivery of such goods.”
Face coverings can be something as simple as a bandana or a scarf tied around the face to cover the nose and mouth.
Additionally, all New Jersey retail stores that are still open are required to limit occupancy to 50% of the stated maximum store capacity. Restaurants, cafeterias, food courts, bars, that are still allowed to operate must limit occupancy to 10% of the stated maximum capacity.
In addition to requiring face coverings for workers and all others entering the building, warehousing and manufacturing facilities are also required to abide by several new requirements, including to:
- Prohibit non-essential visitors from entering the worksite
- Restrict the number of individuals who can access common areas, such as restrooms and breakrooms, concurrently
- Require frequent sanitization of high-touch areas like restrooms, breakrooms, equipment, and machinery
- Provide sanitization materials, such as hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes, to workers and visitors
The executive order remains in effect until further notice.
Other areas with face covering requirements include Laredo, Texas, Riverside County and San Bernadino County in California, and Los Angeles.