Fully vaccinated individuals in the USA may exercise and attend small outdoor activities without wearing a face mask, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention announced.
Citing the new guidelines, people who took the vaccine can exercise alone or with other household members outside without a face covering. They can also meet outdoors with a small group of other fully vaccinated people, or a mixture of fully vaccinated and unvaccinated people.
CDC said dining unmasked at an outdoor restaurant with friends from multiple households is also now acceptable.
The agency, however, still encouraged fully vaccinated residents to wear a mask at outdoor spaces where the risk of Covid-19 is less clear. This includes sporting events, concerts, parades, and other crowded places.
“In public spaces, the vaccination status of other people or whether they are at increased risk for severe COVID-19 is likely unknown,” the CDC wrote in its guidance. “Therefore, fully vaccinated people should continue to follow guidance to protect themselves and others, including wearing a well-fitted mask, when indoors or in an outdoor setting or venue where masks are required,” it added.
“CDC cannot provide the specific risk level for every activity in every community, so it is important to consider your own personal situation and the risk to you, your family, and your community before venturing out without a mask,” the agency added.
In a statement, US President Joe Biden said due to ‘stunning progress’ in fighting the virus, they have decided that fully vaccinated residents can go maskless outside.
More than 140 million Americans, or 42.5 percent of the total population, have already been administered with at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine as of Monday. Meanwhile, roughly 95.8 million Americans or 28.9 percent of the total population are fully vaccinated.
