Keep Masking Up, Say Some Hoboken Shops And Eateries: Here's Why

HOBOKEN, NJ — Although New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said that as of Friday, fully vaccinated residents don't have to wear masks in stores, gyms, and many other businesses, some store and restaurant owners in Hoboken have posted signs requiring masks or have chosen to delay reopening for indoor seating, expressing concerns about the unvaccinated population.

Numbers updated by the state of New Jersey late on Friday show that in Hoboken, 55 percent of residents 18 and over are fully vaccinated (up from 38 percent four weeks ago). Also, 63 percent of the population 18 and over have received at least one dose. While vaccinations are increasing, the numbers still mean that more than a third of adults had not started the process as of Friday.

For residents 65 and over, 87 percent are fully vaccinated, and 96 percent have received at least one dose.

The CDC has said that people can consider themselves "fully vaccinated" and protected two weeks after their final shot. Vaccines are not yet available for children under 12.

A women's wellness center in Hoboken sent out an email Tuesday explaining why they will still require masks in many situations.

"Yesterday the Division of Consumer Affairs announced that masking, social distancing and screening of clients are no longer required in personal care settings," they wrote in an email to clients. "However, to protect the safety of our clients, many of whom are pregnant, which causes the immune system to be suppressed, we will still be requiring masking by staff and guests in common areas."

The email noted that masks were optional during massages, "provided both client and therapist are fully vaccinated, and both are comfortable doing so. Our staff will continue to be temperature screened and wear masks during sessions and in common areas."

In Hoboken, weekly case numbers have been dropping to levels not seen since last summer. From May 15-21, there were 11 new cases of the virus confirmed in town. Five people were being treated for the virus at Hoboken's hospital, one of whom is a resident. READ MORE: New Mask Rules In Hoboken Friday

A local cafe owner said that she has stopped requiring masks for her staff or customers, but only serves outside and has not reopened for indoor seating just yet.

"We are fully vaccinated as are our employees," she said, "so we feel comfortable enough not wearing our masks to serve customers. We no longer require customers to wear masks ... We understand that cases are down among those who are vaccinated, but transmission is as high as it has ever been among those unvaccinated."

She added, "Since we cannot determine who is vaccinated and who is not among unmasked individuals, we currently provide only grab-and-go drinks and snacks and outdoor seating only to minimize exposure ... We plan to continue to monitor the situation" in deciding when to reopen.

On Friday night, the day masks became optional for vaccinated people, restaurants and bars in Hoboken — a popular dining destination just across the river from New York City — were packed amid a downpour.

Last week, Mayor Ravi Bhalla asked residents to respect the wishes of individual business owners.

He noted, "With the substantial decline of cases locally in Hoboken, which includes just one case in the past four days, along with more residents becoming fully vaccinated, the relaxing of regulations is a welcome development." READ MORE: Who's Vaccinated In Hoboken? Here Are The Percentages.

"At the same time," he said, "while the updated regulations go into effect Friday, any Hoboken establishment may continue to require face masks for employees, customers or guests. I ask residents to please abide by any request from a business to wear a face mask, especially in situations where social distancing may be difficult ... the added layer of protection is something we should respect."

For those not vaccinated yet, Bhalla noted, "The CDC continues to encourage you to wear a face mask indoors when around others, especially when social distancing is not possible. This guidance is all of the more reason to get vaccinated, if you have not yet done so."

Hospitalizations In New Jersey And Hoboken

On Wednesday, the state of New Jersey said 518 residents were hospitalized with the virus, 70 of them on ventilators. Since the day before, 20 new deaths from the virus were reported.

Mayor Bhalla said in two updates last week that:

• Hoboken had documented only one new case of the virus in the four days leading up to last Tuesday, May 25.
• From May 15-21, there were 11 new cases of the virus confirmed in town.
• Despite the promising numbers, Bhalla noted that a resident had been newly hospitalized in Hoboken with the virus. Hoboken's hospital was treating five people with the virus.

Two Fridays ago, Hoboken reached a milestone: It closed its outdoor coronavirus testing site, which opened in spring 2020, after administering 60,000 tests. READ MORE: COVID-19 Testing Site Closes In Hoboken, After 60,000th Test

As of Tuesday, 594,000 Americans have died of the virus. You can see which states had the highest death toll in the past week on this CDC map, and see how each county is doing with this CDC link.

READ MORE: Gov. Murphy's NJ COVID Mask Reversal: Why He Did It

Local And General Vaccination Information

Studies have shown that the vaccine is at least 95 percent effective against the virus, and among those who still get it, it will reduce the chance of hospitalization and death.

Last month, a CDC Panel recommended resuming the Johnson & Johnson vaccine after reviewing reports of 13 women getting blood clots — three fatal — out of 7.98 million receiving the shot. The shot will now come with a warning.

While the number of new cases, hospitalizations, and deaths from the virus as been declining, many people are just starting to get vaccinated, including teens. READ MORE: FDA Approves COVID Vaccine For Kids 12+: What It Means In NJ

The state's daily death toll was at its lowest last Sept. 8, when only 2 deaths were reported in one day, after a summer of lockdowns. New Jersey's peak daily death toll on April 30, 2020 was 460 fatalities reported in one day. On Sept. 8, only 2 deaths were reported in one day.

Find out about Hoboken vaccine clinics, coronavirus testing, and more here.

Hudson County also is offering the Pfizer vaccine to people 12 and up.

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