CDC Announces Guidelines for Fully Vaccinated Individuals
"Contact with Unvaccinated Persons Not in High-Risk Groups Allowed"
[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] In the United States, people who have completed COVID-19 vaccination can now have indoor gatherings without masks even with unvaccinated individuals, provided the unvaccinated are not in high-risk groups.
On the 8th (local time), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced guidelines for fully vaccinated individuals. This comes as the U.S. accelerates COVID-19 vaccinations, with fully vaccinated people now accounting for about one in ten of the population.
The CDC defines fully vaccinated individuals as those who are two weeks past their final vaccine dose. For Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, this means two doses have been administered, and for the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine, two weeks after the single dose.
Fully vaccinated individuals can have indoor gatherings with unvaccinated people who are not in high-risk groups, but masks must still be worn in public places.
According to the guidelines, fully vaccinated people can meet indoors without masks not only with other fully vaccinated individuals but also with unvaccinated family members or those at low risk of severe illness. For example, they can visit grandparents living in another area.
Also, if a fully vaccinated person has been exposed to a confirmed COVID-19 case but shows no symptoms, there is no need for quarantine or testing. However, those living in group settings such as correctional or detention facilities must quarantine for 14 days.
Even fully vaccinated individuals must wear masks and practice social distancing when visiting public places, meeting unvaccinated high-risk individuals, or when the unvaccinated person’s family members are high-risk. The same applies to gatherings involving two or more families.
The CDC advises fully vaccinated individuals to avoid medium to large gatherings and to refrain from domestic and international travel. They also urge people to monitor themselves for COVID-19 symptoms if someone around them is ill and to follow workplace and other infection control guidelines.
CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said, "Like you, I want to return to normal activities and be with friends, family, and community," adding, "As we resume these activities, science and public health protections must guide us."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
