Everyone’s been asking – when can I get rid of this mask? The CDC announced earlier this week new guidance outlining when fully vaccinated people should wear a mask, and times when a mask may not be necessary. Fully vaccinated people can now go to the movies and eat inside at a restaurant without a mask (as long as your state allows)! Even though the CDC may be lightening their guidelines – stricter state guidelines will still apply.
People are considered fully vaccinated for COVID-19 ≥2 weeks after they have received the second dose in a 2-dose series (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna), or ≥2 weeks after they have received a single-dose vaccine (Johnson and Johnson (J&J)/Janssen).
New CDC Guidelines
Fully vaccinated people can:
- Visit with other fully vaccinated people indoors without wearing masks or physical distancing
- Resume domestic travel and refrain from testing before or after travel or self-quarantine after travel
- Refrain from testing before leaving the United States for international travel (unless required by the destination) and refrain from self-quarantine after arriving back in the United States
- Refrain from testing following a known exposure, if asymptomatic, with some exceptions for specific settings
- Refrain from quarantine following a known exposure if asymptomatic
- Refrain from routine screening testing if asymptomatic and feasible
Not so fast! Fully vaccinated people still need to:
- Take precautions in indoor public settings like wearing a well-fitted mask
- Wear well-fitted masks when visiting indoors with unvaccinated people who are at increased risk for severe COVID-19 disease or who have an unvaccinated household member who is at increased risk for severe COVID-19 disease
- Wear well-fitted masks when visiting indoors with unvaccinated people from multiple households
- Avoid indoor large-sized in-person gatherings
- Get tested if experiencing COVID-19 symptoms
- Follow guidance issued by individual employers
- Follow CDC and health department travel requirements and recommendations
Do I have to Wear a Mask in Massachusetts?
Yes. Massachusetts is set to enter Phase 4, Step 2 on May 10, with a relaxation of the Face Coverings Order effective tomorrow, April 30!
- Face coverings will only be required outside in public when it is not possible to socially distance, and at other times required by sector-specific guidance.
- Face coverings will still be required at all times in indoor public places. Face coverings will also continue to be required at all times at events, whether held indoors or outdoors and whether held in a public space or private home, except for when eating or drinking.
Effective Monday, May 10:
- Large venues and stadiums can increase capacity to 25%;
- Amusement parks and outdoor water parks can open at 50% capacity;
- Road races are permitted to take place with staggered starts;
- Singing will be allowed at venues and restaurants.
Effective May 29:
- Gathering limits increase to 200 people indoors and 250 people outdoors;
- Street festivals, parades can operate at 50% capacity;
- Bars, breweries and wineries are subject to restaurant rule with seated service only, but will no longer require food be serve with alcohol; and
- Restaurant guidance will increase maximum table size to 10.
The Commonwealth is anticipating ending all industry restrictions on August 1, 2021, with businesses encouraged to continue to follow best practices.
Should I Still Require My Fully Vaccinated Employees and Customers to Wear Masks?
Yes! On Tuesday our blog spoke about the increase in OSHA investigations surrounding COVID-19 – and one of those standards is having safety measures in place to reduce exposure. Even if the CDC is lightening up their guidance: keep in mind that it still requires a mask when around unvaccinated persons from multiple households – and your state may also have stricter guidelines on mask wearing.
Questions about these changes and how they affect your workplace? We can help.