CDC: Fully Vaccinated People Can Now Unmask at Small Outdoor Gatherings

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued new outdoor mask guidance on Tuesday for people who are fully vaccinated.

According to these new CDC guidelines, people who are fully vaccinated do not need to wear masks in small outdoor gatherings. This includes people who have received both doses of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines or the single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

However, the CDC cautions that unvaccinated people still need to wear masks at small outdoor gatherings.

MyMCMedia spoke with Dr. Audrey Escobedo about this new guidance.

“If you are fully vaccinated and want to attend a small outdoor gathering with people who are vaccinated and unvaccinated, or dine at an outdoor restaurant with friends from multiple households, the science shows if you are vaccinated, you can do so safely unmasked,” CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said during a virtual White House briefing on Tuesday.

“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 where there is decreased ability to maintain physical distance and where many unvaccinated people may also be present,” Walensky added.

About Michael Hernández

Michael Hernández is a freelancer reporter for Montgomery Community Media and Hola Montgomery. He was previously an intern at MCM and is also a junior journalism major at the University of Maryland. You can reach him by email at mhernandez@mymcmedia.org.

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