Image source: CDC
Fully vaccinated people can venture outdoors without masks, according to updated guidelines from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
According to the CDC, individuals who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 can safely gather or conduct activities outside without wearing a mask when not in crowded settings.
A graphic released by the CDC outlined the various situations in which fully vaccinated people do not need to mask up, including walking, running or biking outdoors with members of their household or attending small outdoor gatherings.
Fully vaccinated people can also safely dine outdoors with friends from multiple households without a mask, according to the guidelines.
The revised public health guidance applies to fully vaccinated individuals, which the CDC defines as two weeks after the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines and two weeks after the single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
The revision comes as 30% of people in the US have been fully vaccinated and 43% have received at least one dose of a vaccine.
During a White House COVID-19 briefing, CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said, “Today is another day we can take a step back to the normalcy of before. Over the past year, we have spent a lot of time telling Americans what they cannot do, what they should not do. Today, I’m going to tell you some of the things you can do if you are fully vaccinated.”
“Generally, for vaccinated people, outdoor activities without a mask are safe. However, we continue to recommend masking in crowded outdoor settings and venues, such as packed stadiums and concerts,” she said.
The CDC also said unvaccinated people can exercise alone or with a household member without a mask. It still recommends vaccinated people wear masks in places such as hair salons, shopping malls, museums, movie theaters and houses of worship.
The agency noted that it “cannot provide the specific risk level for every activity in every community” and urged people to consider their “own personal situation” and risk to themselves, their family and their community before venturing out without a mask.
At least 15 states have allowed their executive orders mandating facial coverings in public to expire, according to US News. And, several cities and towns have also begun to increase capacity limits at businesses and restaurants.
During remarks Tuesday afternoon from the White House North Lawn, President Joe Biden used the updated guidance to make the case for why Americans should get vaccinated if they have not done so already.
“The bottom line is clear: If you’re vaccinated, you can do more things, more safely, both outdoors as well as indoors,” he said. “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 get vaccinated now.”
“Yes, the vaccines are about saving your life, but also the lives of the people around you. But they’re also about helping to get us get back to closer to normal in our living — more normal living — getting together with friends, going to the park for a picnic without needing to mask up. We’re back to that place now as long as you get vaccinated,” the President added.
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Source: Equities News
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