No Masks Required For Fully Vaccinated, Starting Friday: Diocese

WILL COUNTY, IL — The Diocese of Joliet announced that fully vaccinated individuals will no longer be required to wear masks at all church services starting Friday, when the state is expected to enter Phase 5, which is a full reopening of the state.

The diocese said capacity limits and registration for all church services will also be lifted on Friday.

Phase 5 of the state's Restore Illinois plan calls for a reopening of all sectors of the economy, with normal capacity limits. If the state does not enter Phase 5 on Friday, the diocese will continue with previously issued Bridge Phase protocols, according to a news release.

The elimination of the mask requirement follows current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for fully vaccinated individuals, who can participate in indoor and outdoor activities, large or small, without wearing a mask or physical distancing, the diocese said. It will also adhere to those same CDC guidelines requiring unvaccinated people to continue wearing masks.

The diocese will not ask employees or the general populace to provide their vaccination status. However, all ministers are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated, the diocese said in a release.

Dispensation from the requirement to attend Sunday Mass remains in place for now to allow parishes and parishioners the opportunity to adjust to the new protocols, according to a news release. Capacity limits for office and social gatherings can also return to pre-pandemic, full-capacity levels.