TOMS RIVER – Reacting to questions from residents, Mayor Maurice “Mo” Hill reminded people that there are no town laws requiring masks indoors, but businesses can make their own rules.
Some corporate chains had signs on display referring to local ordinances requiring masks. Since their headquarters aren’t local, it’s possible that these signs were put up in all of the chain’s locations, and not specifically Toms River.
Hill said that residents saw the sign at the entrance of the Lowe’s Home Store on Hooper Avenue which states “In accordance with local ordinances, you are required to wear a mask or face covering while indoors, regardless of vaccination status.”
There are no such ordinances in Toms River, Hill said.
“If a private establishment wants to suggest that their customers wear masks in accordance with CDC recommendations, that’s their prerogative,” the mayor said, “but they shouldn’t be touting legal requirements that don’t exist or blaming their policy on the Township.”
According to the latest guidelines, the Center for Disease Control states that masks are only required on public transportation and indoor hubs like airports or bus stations. They are not required anywhere else.
The CDC said it’s a good idea for anyone 2 and older to wear a mask when inside, but they are not a necessity. If you have immune system or other medical issues, you would be strongly encouraged to wear a mask. The recommendation is even stronger to wear them in areas of high transmission. Ocean County is currently rated as a high transmission area.
Further, the state requires masks in schools, healthcare settings, child care centers, and homeless shelters.
“I don’t favor mandates,” Hill said. “Our citizens are responsible and can make their own choices.”
Hill visited the Lowe’s store to ask the manager to take down the inaccurate sign but found that it had already been removed. The manager told him they received a call letting them know that the sign was incorrect.
Another stop was made to the Chipotle restaurant nearby. A resident had called the mayor’s office informing them of a sign with erroneous information as well.
Hill said the sign said they were only accepting “contactless payment” due to “instructions from local authorities.” The manager explained that the store was only accepting credit cards due to the coin shortage impacting many businesses throughout the country and that it had nothing to do with “local authorities.” The manager agreed to change the sign at the mayor’s request.
