CDC: Vaccinated people may meet without masks

 
WASHINGTON - The Centers for Disease Control says vaccinated people can gather with those at low risk for the coronavirus without masks but should still cover their faces in public.
 
The long-awaited guidance from the CDC begins the process of providing clarity to Americans anxious to learn how the nation will begin returning to normalcy as vaccinations ramp up.
 
Under the guidelines, fully vaccinated people could gather in groups without masks or social distancing. Vaccinated people could also come together in the same way with people considered at low risk for severe disease, such as in the case of vaccinated grandparents visiting a healthy child and grandchildren.

Experts with the CDC are still urging those who are fully vaccinated to wear masks in public, avoid medium to large size gatherings, and delay any plans for travel.

Though data shows fully-vaccinated people are less likely to transmit the virus to others, experts with the CDC said they still don't know the exact efficacy of the vaccine.

If someone fully vaccinated comes in contact with someone with the virus, experts suggest they get tested.

The new guidance comes as more than 30 million Americans have completed their COVID-19 regimens, with tens of millions more set to reach that milestone this month.
 
The CDC says people are not considered “fully vaccinated” until two weeks after receiving the last required dose of vaccine.