Mask mandate to lapse next week. Gathering limits in early June, Murphy says

New Jersey will suspend most of its remaining virus restrictions later this month, including an indoor mask mandate that remained in place in the face of federal guidance that pushed most other states to nix mask mandates, Gov. Phil Murphy announced Monday.

The mask mandate — for all individuals, not just fully vaccinated ones, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — and social distancing rules will lapse on May 28, though masks will still be required in day cares, schools and youth summer camps.

Murphy’s order will allow businesses impose their own masking and social distancing rules, and existing guidance will continue to apply to non-public-facing offices.

NJ Advance Media was first to report to coming end of the mask mandate.

The governor also announced he would lift a slew of gathering limits early next month. The 50-person limit for general indoor gatherings, as well as the 250-person limit on indoor political, religious, matrimonial and funereal gatherings, will go away on June 4.

Guidance limiting capacity at large indoor venues with more than 1,000 seats to 30% will also lapse then.

The move follows Republican criticism over Murphy’s decision to keep the indoor mask mandate in place following CDC guidance that said vaccinated persons no longer had to wear masks.

Murphy was among a small number of governors to keep the mandate in place after the guidance was issued, saying the mandate could go away in a matter of weeks.