“Away with masks and a safe distance for fully vaccinated people” is the new code of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of America (CDA). And this new behavior will affect both outdoor and indoor activities, although at the moment, especially in public transport, the most stringent rules of the past still have to be followed.
And President Joe Biden and his Vice President Kamala Harris were the first to usher in this “return to life” by showing up at the press conference with their faces uncovered.
But how will Americans’ lives change from now?
At the moment, nothing should change for unvaccinated and partially vaccinated people, particularly with respect to air and public transport because the CDC continues to require the use of masks on public transport.
“Right now, we still have an obligation to wear protective gear when traveling on trains, buses and other public transport, as well as in airports and stations,” said CDC chief Rochelle Walensky.
The CDC has called for face masks to be required on planes, buses, trains and other forms of public transportation in or out of the United States. And all this is expected to remain until mid-September.
While news are expected, according to the CDA, for people fully vaccinated. These will be able to safely carry out most indoor and outdoor activities without masks or “social distancing”.
But the decision was heavily contested by New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, who called the news “inconceivable” and said his administration is reviewing CDC guidance “because face masks will still be important to schools, public transport, healthcare, similar structures and more “.
Regarding testing and quarantine, the CDC confirmed that fully vaccinated travelers now do not need to undergo testing before or after travel, unless the test is required by local, state or territorial health authorities. Furthermore, quarantine will no longer be required.
For international travel, the CDC has confirmed that fully vaccinated travelers arriving in the United States will still need to undergo testing within three days prior to flight (or show documentation of COVID-19 recovery within the past three months) and will still have to undergo to the test three / five days after the trip. Other countries may continue to require testing or quarantine for incoming US travelers.