CDC Issues Updated Guidance for Fully Vaccinated Individuals

On May 13, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) issued updated guidance for fully vaccinated individuals.  Here’s what you need to know:

  • CDC recommends that fully vaccinated individuals may now resume the activities performed prior to the pandemic.
  • CDC states that fully vaccinated individuals no longer need to wear masks both indoors and outdoors.
  • Individuals may resume activities without having to wear a mask or staying 6 feet apart, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance.
  • U.S. Transportation Department will leave federal mask requirement for all public transportation- airports, airplanes, buses, and trains.
  • Individuals are no longer recommended to get tested for COVID-19 after domestic travel, or quarantine.
  • If you are in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, you do not need to stay away from others, or get tested unless you have symptoms.

While the federal guidance has been issued, states and local jurisdictions have been opting to either remove their mask mandates, or keep it in place.  In our home state of Minnesota, Governor Walz will sign an executive order effectively ending the state-wide mask mandate.  However, both Minneapolis and Saint Paul mayors have announced the city-wide mandates will stay in place.  Many traditionally Republican-led states including Alabama, South Carolina and Texas had already lifted the mask mandate.  Some Democrat-led states including: Illinois, Kentucky, Oregon, Nevada, and Washington have begun making changes, however states like, Connecticut, Colorado, and Vermont opted to wait to implement any mask mandate changes.  Mask mandates are still in effect for states including: California, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York.  Contact us for help in drafting a return to work plan, or vaccine policy.

How to Determine if you are Fully Vaccinated

Pfizer or Moderna Vaccine: CDC guidance states that people are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after the second dose of the vaccine.

Johnson & Johnson Vaccine:  CDC guidance states that people are considered fully vaccinated after two weeks of the single-dose vaccine.

Please note this current global emergency and applicable laws, regulations, proposals, guidance, advice, and responses change rapidly. We strive to keep you up to date as much as possible, but this blog article is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice or opinion. Contact myHRcounsel with questions concerning specific facts and circumstances.