The CDC released new guidelines today, advising that those who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 can take their masks off at home.
“There are some activities that fully vaccinated people can begin to resume now in the privacy of their own homes. Everyone — even those who are vaccinated — should continue with all mitigation strategies when in public settings,” CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said in a statement Monday.
According to the new federal guidance, fully vaccinated people can visit with other fully vaccinated people and some unvaccinated people indoors without wearing masks or social distancing.
People who are fully vaccinated can also visit with unvaccinated people from a just one other household without wearing masks or social distancing as long as they’re at low risk for severe disease, the CDC says, without acknowledging it has no authority to set these rules.
“For example, fully vaccinated grandparents can visit indoors with their unvaccinated healthy daughter and her healthy children without wearing masks or physical distancing, provided none of the unvaccinated family members are at risk of severe COVID-19,” the CDC says.
For those who are vaccinated, “If you’ve been around someone who has COVID-19, you do not need to stay away from others or get tested unless you have symptoms. However, if you live in a group setting (like a correctional or detention facility or group home) and are around someone who has COVID-19, you should still stay away from others for 14 days and get tested, even if you don’t have symptoms,” the CDC says.
It’s the first set of behavioral guidance released from the federal government for people who have been fully vaccinated.
The CDC says you cannot do many normal activities. It advises that if you’re fully vaccinated:
- You should still take steps to protect yourself and others in many situations, like wearing a mask, staying at least 6 feet apart from others, and avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated spaces. Take these precautions whenever you are:
- In public
- Gathering with unvaccinated people from more than one other household
- Visiting with an unvaccinated person who is at increased risk of severe illness or death from COVID-19or who lives with a person at increased risk
- You should still avoid medium or large-sized gatherings.
- You should still delay domestic and international travel. If you do travel, you’ll still need to follow CDC requirements and recommendations.
- You should still watch out for symptoms of COVID-19, especially if you’ve been around someone who is sick. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, you should get tested and stay home and away from others.
- You will still need to follow guidance at your workplace.
