CDC sets new guidelines for vaccinated people

Gatherings without masks will be allowed for those who are at low risk

ATLANTA—The Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Monday that people who have been vaccinated for the coronavirus can gather with those who are at low risk for COVID-19 without masks, but they should still cover their faces in public.

The United States’ health experts, political and business leaders, and everyday Americans have been waiting on the CDC’s new guidelines on safe activities for people who have been vaccinated and when they can return to normal life.

The new guidelines include recommendations for how and when a fully vaccinated individual can visit with other people who are fully vaccinated and with other people who are not vaccinated.

The agency said the guidelines are “a first step toward returning to everyday activities in our communities.”

While U.S. President Joe Biden is set to make his first nationally televised prime-time address Thursday the White House said Monday it was not consulted on the new guidelines.

“We know that people want to get vaccinated so they can get back to doing the things they enjoy with the people they love,” said CDC Director Dr. Rochelle P. Walensky.

“There are some activities that fully vaccinated people can begin to resume now in their own homes. Everyone — even those who are vaccinated —should continue with all mitigation strategies when in public settings. .”

The CDC said fully vaccinated people can do the following:

á Visit with other fully vaccinated people indoors without wearing masks or staying two metres apart.

á Visit with unvaccinated people from one other household indoors without wearing masks or staying two metres apart if everyone in the other household is at low risk for severe disease.

á Refrain from quarantine and testing if they do not have symptoms of COVID-19 after contact with someone who has COVID-19.

A person is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving the last required dose of vaccine. Although vaccinations are accelerating, the CDC estimates that 9.2 per cent of the U.S. population has been fully vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine that the FDA has authorized for emergency use.

While the new guidance is a positive step, most people need to be fully vaccinated before COVID-19 precautions can be lifted broadly.