CDC Says No Mask Needed For Vaccinated People In Most Settings

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS — The Centers Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that fully vaccinated individuals no longer need to wear face coverings and no longer need to practice social distancing when outdoors and in most indoor settings.

The announcement came on Thursday, May 13. The Virgin Islands Department of Health has yet to comment but may do so during the Monday Government House briefing.

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The latest guidance recommends still wearing a mask if you are in a crowded indoor sitting, such as a crowded bus or plane. They also recommend wearing masks in hospitals.

The loosened rules are specifically for individuals who have received vaccines. Currently, approximately 154 million Americans have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. 117 million are considered fully vaccinated. The Pfizer vaccine was recently authorized to be administered to children ages 12-15 which should significantly increase the number of total vaccinated people.

Dr. Rochelle P. Walensky, Director of the C.D.C., made additional comments today on "Fox News Sunday, “If you are vaccinated, we are saying you are safe, you can take up your mask and you are not at risk of severe disease or hospitalization from Covid-19. If you are not vaccinated, you are not safe. Please go get vaccinated or continue to wear your mask."

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