Essex County supervisors have ordered a return to indoor mask mandates in county buildings due to a spike in Covid cases likely tied to the highly contagious delta variant.
Towns were being asked to follow suit, said Supervisors Chair Shaun Gillilland. The county was recommending businesses do the same, although because a state of emergency is no longer in effect it does not have authority to mandate masks on private property.
Department of Public Works Director Jim Dougan said signage was being placed on county buildings and electronic signs were being placed near the grounds of the county fair, which begins this week. Masks at the fair will be needed inside, but not outside.