Fully vaccinated people no longer need mask indoors or outdoors in US: CDC
In a guideline on its website, the CDC said that if people are fully vaccinated, they can resume their activities without any further restrictions prior to the pandemic.
FollowWashington: In the biggest indication that the United States is fast returning to pre-pandemic life, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has said fully vaccinated people are no longer required to wear masks.
The recommendation holds true for both indoors and outdoors, the CDC said.
In a guideline on its website, the CDC said that if people are fully vaccinated, they can resume their activities without any further restrictions prior to the pandemic.
"Fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance," it said.
People travelling in the United States will no longer need to get tested before or after arrival or self-quarantine after travel.
Following the announcement on Thursday, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris appeared before reporters at the Rose Garden of the White House without wearing masks.
"I think it's a great milestone. A great day. It's been made possible by the extraordinary success we've had in vaccinating so many Americans so quickly," Biden said.
Referring to the latest CDC guidelines, Biden said fully vaccinated people are at a very, very low risk of contracting Covid-19.
“Therefore, if you've been fully vaccinated, you no longer need to wear a mask. But if you've not been vaccinated, or if you've been getting a two-shot vaccine and you've only had your first shot but not your second, or you haven't waited the full two weeks after your second shot, you still need to wear a mask," the President said.
Furthermore, if anyone has been around someone who has COVID-19, they do not need to stay away from others or get tested unless they have symptoms.
However, the CDC asked the people to follow the guidance at the workplace and local businesses and watch out for Covid-19 symptoms.
"Covid-19 vaccines are effective at preventing Covid-19 disease, especially severe illness and death," it said.
The CDC also urged people to find a Covid-19 vaccine if they haven't been vaccinated yet.
The guidance applies to Covid-19 vaccines currently authorised for emergency use by the US Food and Drug Administration – Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson and Johnson (J&J)/Janssen Covid-19 vaccines.
It can also be applied to Covid-19 vaccines that have been authorised for emergency use by the World Health Organization. This includes AstraZeneca/Oxford, the CDC said.
Last month, the CDC said it is safe for people who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to be outside without a mask, but only in small groups.
According to The Hill, the guidance, which CDC Director Rochelle Walensky outlined during a White House press conference Tuesday, builds on previous updates from the agency about the activities people can feel comfortable with once fully vaccinated.
According to the agency, fully vaccinated people do not need to wear masks during small, outdoor gatherings even if there's a mixture of vaccinated and unvaccinated people.
Dining at an outdoor restaurant with friends from multiple households is also considered a safe activity for vaccinated people to do without a mask, the agency said.
(With inputs from agencies)
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