Are you fully vaccinated? No need to wear a mask outside! The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have released new rules for those who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
As of Wednesday, April 28, CDC data showed nearly 30% of the U.S. population has been fully vaccinated and more than 42% have received at least one dose. Almost 68% of the 65+ population has been fully vaccinated.
CDC okays masks off outside
Health experts from the CDC announced that fully vaccinated individuals can unmask while walking, running, hiking, or biking outdoors alone or with members of their household.
Vaccinated people also don’t need to wear a mask during outdoor gatherings with fully vaccinated family and friends, or at gatherings with a mixture of vaccinated and unvaccinated people. In addition, fully vaccinated individuals don’t need to wear a mask at outdoor restaurants with friends from multiple households, the guidance said.
“Today is another day we can take a step back to the normalcy of before,” said CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky. “If you are fully vaccinated, things are much safer for you than those who are not yet fully vaccinated.”
Continue to take precautions
The CDC still recommends fully vaccinated people wear masks in indoor public settings and at outdoor public settings or venues where masks are required.
Individuals are considered “fully vaccinated” two weeks after receiving the second dose of either the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines or two weeks after receiving the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
“The bottom line is clear, if you’re vaccinated you can do more things more safely both outdoors as well as indoors,” said President Joe Biden in a White House briefing Tuesday, April 27. “For those who haven’t gotten their vaccination yet, especially if you’re younger or thinking you don’t need it, this is another great reason to go and get vaccinated now.”
