Diocese: Vaccinated can stop wearing masks during Mass

Vaccinated people no longer have to wear masks at Mass, the Catholic Diocese of Allentown announced, following the lead of the Centers for Disease Control and state health officials in easing restrictions for the immunized.

Those who are not fully vaccinated must continue to wear their masks for their protection and for the protection of others, the diocese said. Churches will rely on the honor system and won’t ask for proof of vaccination.

People are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after the second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines or two weeks after the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

The diocese already announced it will lift church seating capacity restrictions on the Solemnity of Pentecost, the weekend of May 22-23.

The Sunday Mass obligation remains suspended. The decision on reinstating it will likely be made jointly by the bishops of Pennsylvania.

Other precautions remain, including the requirement that priests and others distributing Holy Communion wear masks and cleanse their hands as needed, that Reception of the Chalice by the faithful remains suspended and that no Sign of Peace be exchanged during Mass.

The CDC said Thursday that fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing, except where required by federal, state, local and local laws or business and workplace regulations. Unvaccinated people must continue to mask.

Pennsylvania adopted the same rules. The state said it will lift its masking order once 70% of Pennsylvania 18 and older are fully vaccinated. As of Friday, full vaccination stood at 47.4%.