CDC Says Fully Vaccinated People Don’t Have to Wear Masks For Indoor or Outdoor Activities

The CDC announced in new guidance Thursday that anyone who is fully vaccinated can participate in indoor and outdoor activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing, regardless of crowd size.

What they’re saying: “If you are fully vaccinated, you are protected, and you can start doing the things that you stopped doing because of the pandemic,” CDC Director Rochelle Walensky will say at a White House press briefing.

Caveats: The guidance does not apply to those traveling on planes or public transit, health care settings, correctional facilities or homeless shelters.

Masks should still be worn to abide by federal, state, local, tribal or territorial guidance, including local businesses and workplaces, the CDC said.
Vaccinated people traveling from other countries to the U.S. still need a negative COVID test prior to their trip or proof of previous COVID infection in the past three months.
Between the lines: News reports this past week have pointed to public health experts’ critiques of the agency’s “overly cautious” guidance, which some say has not accounted for scientific findings that could change public attitudes and behaviors.