| Dear Healthcare Licensee, The Division of Consumer Affairs (“Division”) is providing this notice in response to inquiries it has received regarding its July 22, 2022 Administrative Order (“AO”) governing health care services in office practices (“AO-2022-01”).In particular, the Division has received multiple inquiries as to whether masking in health care offices continues to be required in New Jersey.
AO-2022-01 requires health care professionals (as defined in the order) practicing in office settings to stay informed about applicable guidance related to COVID-19 issued by the Centers for Disease Control (“CDC”), the New Jersey Department of Health (“NJDOH”), the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”), andtheir local health department, and to practice in a manner consistent with that guidance.The NJDOH currently recommends masking for everyone in a health care setting when a county’s “community transmission level” is in the “substantial” or “high” range. The community transmission level is currently in the “high” range for every county in New Jersey; refer to the "Community Transmission Levels used for Healthcare Settings" section of the Weekly COVID-19 Activity Report.Accordingly, pursuant to AO-2022-01, masking continues to be required in health care offices in New Jersey.
As guidance has changed markedly over time—based on factors such as evolving knowledge about COVID-19, new evidence, and mutations in the disease itself—and as the Division anticipates that guidance will continue to change moving forward, AO-2022-01 does not contain any specific, static requirements that must be adhered to in all offices at all times.Instead, its requirements are linked to the recommendations of the CDC, NJDOH, OSHA, and local health departments.Health care professionals who practice in office settings must consult those recommendations on a regular basis, and must ensure that their office practices continue to be conducted in a manner consistent with applicable recommendations.
Thank you for your continued efforts to protect public health and safety.
Cari Fais Acting Director Division of Consumer Affairs Office of the New Jersey Attorney General | 
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