Christie Suspends Bergen Blue Laws

Gov. Chris Christie has signed an executive order suspending Bergen County's Sunday sales restriction, known as Blue Laws. 

"During this time of recovery and rebuilding, our citizens must have adequate access to the supplies they need to help return their lives to normal – particularly those residents who are still without power,” Christie said in a statement Sunday.

“To accomplish this, we are temporarily suspending Blue Laws in Bergen County so that local residents can purchase the essential goods and services they need to continue through recovery period and begin the rebuilding process.”

Christie's decision came after Bergen County Executive Kathleen Donovan requested the Sunday shopping restrictions be suspended. 

In a conference call Sunday, Donovan applauded the move as a step in helping county residents recover from the impacts of Sandy. 

Officials in several towns, including in Hackensack and Mahwah, said they would not enforce the laws in the aftermath of the storm.