Coronavirus News: New Jersey city giving out 100 gift cards to kids properly wearing masks

SUMMIT, New Jersey (WABC) -- Police in one New Jersey city are giving out gift cards to kids they see properly wearing masks to combat the spread of the coronavirus.

The Summit Police Department partnered with Summit Downtown Inc. to launch the "Wear a Mask Rewards Campaign," with officers distributing 100 $5 gift cards when they see students wearing masks over the mouth and nose.

The program began Wednesday and will continue until all 100 cards are given out.

Summit police are encouraging all elementary, middle and high school aged students to wear masks when in groups or when socially distancing 6 feet apart is not possible.

If successful, the program may continue into the fall.

Related: Paul Rudd challenges young people to 'Mask Up'

"We're in this together," Detective Sergeant Ryan Peters said. "And together, we can help curb the spread of coronavirus in the Summit community."

WATCH: Eyewitness to a Pandemic

Suddenly, the brutal death of George Floyd while in the custody of police officers in Minneapolis filled the streets of a nation with rage and sorrow. New York was no different. Protesters put the fear of the virus aside and took to the streets by the thousands. Abandoning the safety and comfort of social distance, to demand social change.

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