Following the updated CDC guidelines, and recent surge in the COVID-19 Delta variant, popular grocers Acme, Wegman’s and WaWa have announced store employees will return to wearing masks. Acme said in a company statements on Tuesday it will require all employees and vendors to wear a mask indoors regardless of vaccination status. Wegman’s also will require both vaccinated and unvaccinated employees to mask up following updated CDC guidelines. They join a growing list of retailers, food stores and restaurants requiring masks for employees and recommending them for customers, including Walmart, Home Depot, Starbucks and McDonalds now require all employees to mask up, regardless of vaccination status.

A day after federal officials tightened coronavirus mask guidance, Gov. Phil Murphy announced Wednesday that all people in New Jersey, regardless of vaccination status, are ”strongly recommended” to wear masks indoors in settings where there is “increased risk” — but stopped short of mandating face coverings again. New Jersey has one of the highest vaccination rates in the nation, with more than 70% of its eligible population fully inoculated. Eight New Jersey counties fall into the category of“substantial” transmission, according to CDC data, with Monmouth County is listed as having “high” transmission. The state said masking is recommended in the following scenarios with increased risk: crowded indoor settings, indoor settings involving activities in close contact with others who may not be fully vaccinated, indoor settings where others’ vaccine status is unknown and when an individual is immunocompromised or at increased risk for severe disease.

New Jersey's Department of Education will receive $2.765 billion to allocate to school districts and Camden County public schools can expect more than $200 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds to get students back in buildings and on track academically after more than a year of learning disruptions. Merchantville School District is slated to receive $779,000. Disbursements to districts vary and are based on a funding formula accounting for the number of students enrolled in the district, poverty demographics and school building age.

On July 30, 2021, the Camden County Department of Health is announced 44 new positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the aggregate number of confirmed positive cases in Camden County to 50,293 and 1,237 total fatalities. During the past week the county has averaged between 40-60 new cases a day. “New data from the CDC has shed light on just easily the Delta variant can be spread. Unfortunately, the fact is that this pandemic is not over,” said County Commissioner Director Louis Cappelli, Jr. “We need everyone to continue doing their part to protect our community. If you are vaccinated, start wearing your mask again when indoors and following any additional public health guidance. If you’re not vaccinated, get your shot as soon as possible.”No cases were identified in Merchantville but, involved residents living in the following municipalities.