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The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has released new guidance for fully vaccinated people in the United States including that masks are no longer required in outdoor settings. The new advice means that all travelers visiting the United States will no longer need to wear a mask in public outdoor areas including beaches and attractions. The only caveat to the new guidance stated that masks should still be worn in very crowded areas.
When Are Travelers Required To Wear Masks In The United States?
Outdoor Rules
The CDC states “You can gather or conduct activities outdoors without wearing a mask except in certain crowded settings and venues.
Some U.S. states may enforce their own laws on the use of masks so be sure to check with local authorities on the areas you plan on visiting if masks are required outdoors.
United States President Joe Biden reiterated the CDC guidance last week. “Earlier today the CDC made an important announcement. Starting today if you are fully vaccinated and outdoors, not in a big crowd, you can go without a mask,” the president said, noting that masks are still required in crowded spaces such as music concerts or sporting events.
The President stated the guidance released by the CDC is a big step forward in the return to normal living.
Indoor Rules
The CDC also updated the mask rules for vaccinated people in indoor settings. The guidance states that those who have been vaccinated can gather indoors with one other household of non-vaccinated people.
This means vaccinated travelers in the US may visit one group of friends, family or loved ones indoors and do not need to wear a mask unless those you are visiting have ongoing health issues.
The CDC says masks are still required in all indoor public settings including restaurants and shops. While the CDC still recommends masks in all indoor setting states such as Texas, Tennessee and Florida are dropping all state issued Covid-19 rules so business operators can choose whether or not to enforce the CDC guidance.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis made a bold statement at a press conference on Monday. “Folks that are saying that they need to be policing people at this point are saying you don’t believe in the vaccines, you don’t believe in the data, you don’t believe in the science,” DeSantis said.
The only people who have not been vaccinated in Florida are those choosing not to. Vaccines are readily available to anyone who wants one free of charge.
Last week, CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walensky held a White House briefing before Biden’s news conference and said that the current scientific evidence shows there are “many situations” where fully vaccinated people don't need to wear a mask, “particularly if they are outdoors.”
When is One Fully Vaccinated?
The CDC Director says that people are considered fully vaccinated:
- 2 weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines
- 2 weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine
Other CDC Recommendations For Vaccinated Travelers
The CDC has recommended that vaccinated travelers can do the following:
- Travel domestically without any Covid-19 testing
- Travel domestically without quarantine
- Travel internationally without any covid-19 testing unless your destination requires it
- Travel internationally without quarantining after travel
Read More:
Where American Tourists Can Travel Now
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
Martina
Wednesday 5th of May 2021
Lol we have never worn masks outside. Thanks for nothing CDC
Elham Sabr
Tuesday 4th of May 2021
the sane among us never did wear mask outdoors and also did not jump in front of a freight train, because we are sane and possess common sense. thanks for reminding us how political this whole china virus was and is and continues to be under this phony president and his joke staff, the laughing stock of the world .
Liberty
Tuesday 4th of May 2021
Newsflash CDC (Center for Dumb Clowns) - 90% of the US hasn't been wearing masks outside regardless of what you fools say. Most of us aren't wearing them anywhere else either.
AYL
Tuesday 4th of May 2021
about time. "believe in science"
does this now mean vaccinated travelers don't need testing to return to the US after international travel?
Glenn
Tuesday 4th of May 2021
LOL CLOWNS GIVING "GUIDANCE"