CDC advises masks not necessary when fully COVID-19 vaccinated; Nevada adopts guidance
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Thu, 05/13/2021 - 1:21pm
UPDATE: Nevada will be following the latest recommendations on masking from the CDC, according to a tweet from Gov. Steve Sisolak.
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The U.S. Centers for Disease Control announced on its website Thursday that it is recommending that those who are fully vaccinated can resume regular activities prior to the COVID-19 pandemic without having to wear a mask.
Fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance, the website states.
CDC says people are considered fully vaccinated:
— 2 weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or
— 2 weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine
It cautions that if people don’t meet these requirements, regardless of their age, they are not fully vaccinated. The CDC advises to keep taking all precautions until you are fully vaccinated.
Go here for a summary of the recent changes.
UPDATE 4:30PM: The following is a news release issued Thursday from Nevada Health Response
Nevada Adopts Updated CDC Mask Guidance
On May 13, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued updated guidance that fully-vaccinated individuals do not need to wear a mask in most indoor and outdoor locations.
On May 3, 2021, Governor Steve Sisolak signed Emergency Directive 045, which updated the mask and face covering requirements for the State of Nevada to align with the CDC’s recommendations on mask usage, including any subsequent guidance issued by the CDC. As a result, the updated guidance on masks issued today by the CDC is effective immediately in Nevada.
Below are updates for the State of Nevada related to the updated CDC guidance:
• The State of Nevada neither requires nor prohibits private entities from confirming vaccination status of individuals. Employers and organizations are encouraged to post signage with the latest CDC mask guidance for vaccinated and unvaccinated guests.
• Private entities and organizations may have mask policies that are more restrictive than the CDC guidance. Workers should consult with their employers regarding workplace COVID-19 safety protocols.
• In general, people are considered fully vaccinated: 2 weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or 2 weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine. If you don’t meet these requirements, regardless of your age, you are NOT fully vaccinated. Keep taking all precautions until you are fully vaccinated.
• If you have a condition or are taking medications that weaken your immune system, you may NOT be fully protected even if you are fully vaccinated. Talk to your health care provider. Even after vaccination, you may need to continue taking all precautions.
• The CDC guidance issued today also provided updates on social distancing recommendations for fully vaccinated individuals. After the May 1 transition to local authority, each county has the authority to establish social distancing requirements. Nevada residents should consult their county’s local mitigation plan for more information on social distancing guidelines in their county. Click here for the latest county plans.
Please review the full CDC guidance for information regarding when a mask may still be needed.
COVID-19 is still very much a threat in our State and many Nevadans may choose to continue using masks based on their and their families’ personal health concerns. Others should respect this choice.
Nevadans are encouraged to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Go to NVCOVIDFighter.org or call 1-800-401-0946 for the latest information on appointment and walk in availability. Nevadans 12 years of age and older are now eligible to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.
