New Jersey will require masks in schools when the next academic year begins in a few weeks — with a return to universal in-person learning — under an executive order Gov. Phil Murphy issued Friday to help combat increasing coronavirus numbers.
The move from the Democratic governor was met with praise from numerous health officials but backlash from Republicans and more than angry 100 protesters who gathered at Murphy’s announcement in East Brunswick, as well as another protest near Murphy’s home in Middletown on Saturday.