Speaking about the latest change to US coronavirus guidelines, Joe Biden was asked a curly question. His answer didn’t take long. The US government has officially relaxed its guidance on mask-wearing, telling Americans they no longer need to use face coverings in most situations outdoors as long as they have been fully vaccinated.
The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now says it is safe for people vaccinated against COVID-19 to go maskless unless they attend a crowded outdoor event, like a concert or a game of sport.
“If you are fully vaccinated and want to attend a small, outdoor gathering with people who are vaccinated or unvaccinated, or dine at an outdoor restaurant with friends from multiple households, you can do so safely unmasked,” CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said today, describing it as a “step back to the normalcy of before”.
“If you are fully vaccinated, things are much safer for you than those not yet fully vaccinated.” According to the latest figures, 96 million Americans have been fully vaccinated so far, more than half of the nation’s adults have received at least one shot, and an average of three million doses are being administered daily.
Nationwide, anyone aged 16 or over can receive the vaccines.
Speaking to reporters from the sunny North Lawn of the White House this afternoon, President Joe Biden framed the updated guidance as another reason for Americans to get fully vaccinated as quickly as possible.
“Earlier today, the CDC made an important announcement,” Mr Biden said.
“If you’re fully vaccinated outdoors and not in a big crowd, you no longer need to wear a mask. If you’re in a group, like a stadium or a concert, you still need to wear a mask, even if you’re outside.
“Beginning today, gathering with a group in the park, going for a picnic, as long as you are vaccinated, and outdoors, you do not need to wear a mask.
“The odds of giving the virus to others is very low if you’ve been fully vaccinated and outdoors.
“If you’re vaccinated, you can do more things, more safely, both outdoors and indoors.
“If you haven’t got it yet, or think you don’t need it, this is another reason to get vaccinated. Yes, vaccines are about saving our lives and those of people around us, but they’re also about getting us back to a more normal way of living. “So go get the shot. It’s never been easier. And once fully vaccinated, you can go without a mask outside and away from big crowds.
