Fully vaccinated Americans will no longer be required to wear a mask outdoors in certain situations, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Tuesday, marking the latest in an evolving set of health guidelines amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Today is another day we can take a step back to the normalcy of before,” CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said during a news conference. “There are many situations where fully vaccinated people do not need to wear a mask, particularly if they are outdoors.”
“I am optimistic people will use this information to take personal responsibility to protect themselves and protect others,” she added.
Walensky said all Americans, regardless of their vaccination status, should still wear masks when in crowded outdoor settings like sports games as well as in several indoor situations.
Masks are also still required on all forms of public transportation like planes and in airports, regardless of someone’s vaccination status, per an executive order President Joe Biden signed in January.
Video: Grenada Will Reduce Quarantine Required for Fully Vaccinated Tourists Starting May 1 (Travel + Leisure)
Vaccinated Americans Will Likely Be Allowed to Travel to Europe This Summer, Report Says
Travel + Leisure
7 of the Best Places to Work Remotely
Travel + Leisure
5 Amazing Wine Destinations in Africa for Delicious Drinks and Beautiful Views
Travel + Leisure
Pharrell Just Opened a Gorgeous New Hotel in Miami
Travel + Leisure
You Can Go Stargazing With a NASA Ambassador at This Maui Resort
Travel + Leisure
Atlanta Loses Its Status As World's Busiest Airport After 20 Years
Travel + Leisure
A Breakdown of Every Major U.S. Airline's Face Mask Policy
Travel + Leisure
Dollywood's Flower and Food Festival Starts This Month
Travel + Leisure
Greece Preparing to Welcome Tourists, Including Americans, Back on May 15
Travel + Leisure
This NYC Hotel Wants to Help You Celebrate Mother's Day
Travel + Leisure
Take a Cooking Lesson, Walking Tour, and Dance Class With Locals in the Bahamas Without Ge
Travel + Leisure
A Guide to Vaccine Passport Apps for American Travelers
Travel + Leisure
This Historic London Hotel Is Celebrating Its 90th Birthday With a New Rooftop Bar
Travel + Leisure
This Company Will Pay You $692 a Month to Quit Instagram
Travel + Leisure
'Bridgerton' Comes to Life on This Mini-Tour Around London and Bath
Travel + Leisure
Here's Where Americans Are Buying Vacation Homes
Travel + Leisure
Vaccinated Americans Will Likely Be Allowed to Travel to Europe This Summer, Report Says
A timeline for easing restrictions wasn't immediately clear.
Travel + Leisure
7 of the Best Places to Work Remotely
Looking to plan a working vacation, or to relocate entirely? Consider one of these stunning destinations that allow you to combine work and play.
Travel + Leisure
5 Amazing Wine Destinations in Africa for Delicious Drinks and Beautiful Views
From Cape Winelands in South Africa to Meknes in Morocco, here are five African destinations every wine lover should visit.
Travel + Leisure
“Until more people are vaccinated, and while [we] still have more than 50,000 cases a day, mask use indoors will provide extra protection,” Walensky said. “The more people who are vaccinated, the more steps we can take toward spending time with people we love doing the things we love to enjoy.”
So far, about 54% of Americans 18 and older have received at least one dose of a vaccine, and 37% are considered fully vaccinated, according to the CDC. In total, more than 230 million doses have been administered.
Load Error
The new guidance comes weeks after the CDC said fully-vaccinated people could travel at low risk to themselves, and without the need to quarantine upon returning home for both international and domestic trips. International travelers must still get tested within three days of boarding a flight to the U.S.
The agency has also said vaccinated people can get together indoors with other vaccinated people without the need to wear a mask, and those who received the jab are not required to quarantine if they come into contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19.
Several countries and destinations have turned to the vaccine rollout as a way to open to inoculated travelers or ease restrictions for those who got the jab, including Belize, Grenada, Greece, Croatia, and Iceland. Officials in the European Union have also said the bloc will likely welcome fully-vaccinated American tourists back by this summer.
Alison Fox is a contributing writer for Travel + Leisure. When she’s not in New York City, she likes to spend her time at the beach or exploring new destinations and hopes to visit every country in the world. Follow her adventures on Instagram.
Source: Read Full Article