The CDC Makes a Big Announcement About Wearing Masks Amid Pandemic in United States

The CDC is providing a big update to protocol amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The organization announced on Tuesday (April 27) that they have a new advisory about wearing masks outdoors amid the distribution of the coronavirus vaccines in the United States.

Now, people who are fully vaccinated are free to not wear a mask outdoors, unless they’re in a big crowd.

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As of right now, more than half of the U.S. adult population, 140 million people, have received at least one dose. More than one-third are fully vaccinated.

“Today, I hope, is a day when we can take another step back to the normalcy of before. Over the past year, we have spent a lot of time telling Americans what you can’t do. Today, I am going to tell you some of the things you can do, if you are fully vaccinated,” said CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky, adding that the decision was due to rising vaccination numbers and declines in COVID-19 cases, as well as declines in hospitalizations and deaths.

Research is showing that less than 10% of documented instances of transmission of the virus happened outdoors, via AP.

The CDC says that whether fully vaccinated or not, people do not have to wear masks outdoors when they walk, bike or run alone or with members of their household. They can also go maskless in small outdoor gatherings with fully vaccinated people.

Unvaccinated people should wear masks at small outdoor gatherings that include other unvaccinated people, and should keep their faces covered when dining at outdoor restaurants with people from multiple homes. And everyone should keep wearing masks at crowded outdoor events.

Masks are still advised to be worn in indoor public places.

“Because of the extraordinary progress we’ve made in the fight against COVID-19, the CDC made a big announcement today: If you are fully vaccinated — and if you are outdoors and not in a large crowd — you no longer need to wear a mask,” President Biden said on Twitter.

There are some celebrities who are refusing to get the vaccine.