Since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced its updated guidance for fully vaccinated people<https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinat… last week, Morris County has evolved from a county experiencing “moderate” COVID-19 transmission to that of “substantial” COVID-19 transmission. In an effort to keep residents, township employees, and volunteers safe, in Mendham Township, we have updated our operating protocols. As long as Morris County is within the “substantial or high transmission zones” (per the CDC’s data tracker<https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view>)w>), the Township will be asking members of the public who enter municipal buildings to wear a mask. As the Delta Variant continues to work its way across our state, on Monday the NJ Department of Health Commissioner announced that there has been a rise in active outbreaks in long-term care facilities. Two weeks ago, there were 18 reported outbreaks but as of Monday, August 2nd the Commissioner reported that there were 38 active outbreaks in long-term care facilities in NJ. While the percentage of vaccinated staff in NJ’s long-term care facilities has increased, in some facilities the percentage is as low as 33%. On Friday, the Governor signed Executive Order 252<https://nj.gov/infobank/eo/056murphy/pdf/EO-252.pdf>df>, which requires workers in certain healthcare and “high-risk” facilities to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by September 7, 2021 or be subject to weekly COVID-19 testing at a minimum. The state believes that this order will strengthen the protection against the spread of COVID-19 in some of NJ’s most vulnerable populations. Governor Murphy also held a press conference yesterday where he announced that all students, educators, staff, and visitors will be required to wear masks inside all Kindergarten - 12th Grade school buildings, regardless of vaccination status, for the start of the 2021 - 2022 academic year. As of today, there are 5,349,147 individuals who live, work, or study in NJ fully vaccinated, but about 42% of NJ’s population remains unvaccinated including children under the age of 12, who are not yet eligible. Based on state data covering July 12th - July 19th, roughly 80% of all positive tests were from people not vaccinated or not fully vaccinated. Governor Murphy stressed on Monday that 95% of all new COVID-19 hospitalizations and 100% of COVID-19 related deaths during that same period were of individuals who were not fully vaccinated. To find a vaccination location nearest you, click here: https://covid19.nj.gov/pages/finder. Enjoy the rest of your weekend, and take care. Sarah Neibart Mayor, Mendham Township