The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have released guidelines for fully vaccinated people outlining what they can do safely – including mask-free visits indoors with other vaccinated people. CDC Director Rochelle Walensky announced the long-awaited guidance during a COVID-19 White House briefing on Monday.
Fully vaccinated people can do the following, according to the CDC:
- Visit with other fully vaccinated people indoors without masks or physical distance;
- Visit with unvaccinated people from one household who are at low risk for the serious COVID-19 disease indoors without wearing masks or keeping physical distance; and
- Skip quarantine and testing guidelines after a known exposure, if they are asymptomatic.
The CDC still says those vaccinated should wear a face cover in public, and it still discourages non-essential travel. It also says vaccinated people should continue to avoid medium and large gatherings for the time being, and that they should use prevention measures such as masks and distance themselves from multiple unvaccinated households. The CDC also still recommends getting tested if COVID-19 symptoms present.
“Science and the protection of public health must guide us in resuming these activities,” said Wolensky. Today’s action is an important first step. It is not our final destination. As more people are vaccinated, the level of COVID-19 infection decreases in communities and as our understanding of COVID immunity improves, we look forward to update these recommendations to the public. ”
People are “fully vaccinated” if two weeks have passed since receiving the second Pfizer or Moderna injection or the single Johnson & Johnson injection, according to the CDC. Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two doses, while the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is administered at one time. This vaccine received an Emergency Use Authorization from the Food and Drug Administration on Feb. 27, and doses were divided and administered from last week.
Guidance comes as the nation is at a crossroads in its fight against the virus. According to data from Johns Hopkins University, mean daily cases across the country have fallen by more than 50% in the past month, but that progress has slowed.
States across the country, including New York, Massachusetts, and Arkansas, have eased COVID-related restrictions on businesses, adding to fears that the US could wait too soon. Last week, Texas became the third state to revoke its statewide mask mandate in recent days by joining Montana and Iowa.