CDC Announces New COVID-19 Mask Guidance

May 14, 2021—The Center for Disease Control released new guidance on Thursday, saying people fully vaccinated against COVID-19 do not need to wear masks or practice social distancing indoors or outdoors, except under certain circumstances, CNN reported. Distinctly, the CDC’s guidance is not law. Businesses and individuals should still adhere to the specific mandates in their city and state. However, this announcement is another step towards returning towards pre-pandemic life, the report said. "If you are fully vaccinated, you can start doing the things that you had stopped doing because of the pandemic," Dr. Rochelle Walensky said during a White House Covid-19 briefing. "We have all longed for this moment when we can get back to some sense of normalcy."Walensky's announcement has a few caveats. She warned that people who are immune compromised should speak with their doctors before giving up their masks. The requirement to wear masks during travel— on buses, trains, planes and public transportation— still stands. Non-vaccinated individuals should continue to stay masked, the report said.