Police Prepared For 'Mask-Free' Shopping Event In Morris County

CEDAR KNOLLS, NJ — A "mask-free shopping event" at ShopRite of Greater Morristown has circulated Facebook. Law enforcement says not so fast.

Hanover police, who have jurisdiction over the ShopRite location, are aware of the event and ready to intervene if necessary, says Cpt. David White. And Gov. Phil Murphy has maintained New Jersey's mask mandate for indoor, public spaces.

"We’re assigned there, so we’ll be there anyway," White said.

Violation of the emergency orders is a disorderly-persons offense, which carries fines as much as $1,000 and up to six months of jail time. Such violations are charged via summons, without arrest.

Patch's attempts to find the Facebook event page were unsuccessful. But screenshots for the event called "MASK FREE GROCERY SHOPPING" have been shared on social media and many posters on town Facebook boards have said they would be attending the event to make a statement.

The Centers for Disease Control updated its guidance Thursday for people fully vaccinated: "Fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance."

The screenshot shows the event set for Sunday. As of Friday afternoon, New Jersey retained its mask mandate for indoor, public areas. Gov. Phil Murphy says people fully vaccinated no longer need to wear a mask outside.

But citing the fact that New Jersey had some of the nation's highest infection, hospitalization and death rates, Murphy said Friday, "we're not there yet" on removing the indoor mask mandate.

Although some states have removed mask mandates, businesses still have the rights to enforce their own mask policies, experts told ABC News. And refusal to wear a mask followed by refusal to leave the premises can result in trespassing charges.

It's also not clear whether ShopRite will remove its mask policies in states that have dropped mandates. Company spokespeople did not return comment.

ShopRite has stores in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Delaware and Maryland — none of which have dropped indoor mask mandates. The company website says the following:

"We continue to follow the guidance from the Centers for Disease Control which emphasizes that masks and face coverings remain a critical preventive measure to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our communities. In line with this guidance and in compliance with executive orders in the states where we operate, we require customers and associates to wear masks or face coverings while shopping or working in the store."

It's not immediately clear whether the ShopRite event organizers are intentionally encouraging people to break New Jersey's law. The event picture features an American-flag background and includes the message "TOGETHER WE ARE STRONG."

But Hanover police told people to continue following New Jersey's coronavirus orders, or they too can get charged with trespassing.

"Follow the executive orders that are still out," White said. "I know there has been a lot of mask-wearing, vaccinated, not-vaccinated stuff that has been coming up, but New Jersey is still following the governor’s orders, which is that you’re required to wear a mask."

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