New Jersey Gov. Murphy to lift school COVID-19 mask mandate

New Jersey Democrat Gov. Phil Murphy is lifting the school COVID-19 mask mandate for students and staffers across the state. 

Murphy, who has been responsible for imposing some of the nation's strictest pandemic mandates, will officially announce the policy reversal Monday afternoon. The policy will take effect the second week of March, as the pandemic reaches its two-year anniversary. 

Last month, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf, a fellow Democrat, opted to roll back his state's school mask mandate.

Students having to wear the masks has resulted in widespread debate among parents, elected officials, school officials, health and public policy experts and others, increasing as the pandemic nears its third years.