More retailers let customers ditch the mask, but not in New Jersey.

New Jersey has a lot of quirky laws and regulations you wont find anywhere else. It's illegal to pump your own gas, slurp your soup, or eat pickles on Sunday in the city of Trenton.

We may soon be one of the only states that still require you to wear a mask inside a store or business. Even as New York and Pennsylvania announced the lifting of their indoor mask mandates, Gov. Phil Murphy still refuses to follow CDC guidelines. Murphy gave no timeline, but said that the indoor masking rule will not be "forever and always."

Meanwhile, the list of businesses that are dropping their indoor mask mandates continues to grow — although their rules don't supersede state mandates.

  • CVS and Target announced Monday they would no longer require customers to wear a mask while shopping.
  • Target says employees who are fully vaccinated will also be allowed to ditch the mask.
  • Walmart, Sam's Club, Costco, Trader Joe's Starbucks, Home Depot and Publix supermarkets announced an end to their mask rules almost immediately after the CDC said masking up indoors was no longer necessary.
  • Kohl's department store also dropped their mask requirement for shoppers Monday, but said in a statement, "We will continue to strongly recommend that non-vaccinated customers and associates wear masks in our stores."

None of the retailers and businesses that have lifted their mask requirements have said they will require proof of vaccination.

Not all businesses have been quick to end their mask policies. Apple stores were still requiring them on Monday. Walgreens says they are still evaluating data from the CDC. Uber and Lyft say their mask policies are still in effect for drivers and passengers. 

In a statement to USA Today, Uber said, "We continue to ask that riders and drivers wear a mask over their nose and mouth during the entire trip and that riders sit in the back seat." Uber noted drivers can still cancel a trip if a passenger refuses to wear a mask.

The Biden administration has left it up to individual states to decide on public health restrictions to combat the pandemic, including mask rules. The absence of a uniform national policy, however, has led to confusion and wide disparities over what you can and cannot do from town to town and state to state.

The Retail Industry Leaders Association warned of ambiguity as retailers try to comply with state and local orders. It could also lead to increasing frustration for the public weary of wearing masks and unsure of what the rules are.

For now ditching the mask is just like pumping your own gas. You can do it in Pennsylvania and New York, but not in New Jersey.

More NJ Top News for May 18, 2021:

These NJ towns have the highest rates of sexually transmitted diseases

Looking at data compiled by the Department of Health in 2019, the most recent year for which reports are available, we determined the rate of STDs for 1,000 people in every municipality. The data combines reports of chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis. For a different look, you can check out this article for a list of New Jersey towns that saw the highest increase in STD/STI cases in recent years. 

More From New Jersey 101.5 FM