On Thursday, May 13, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky announced that people who have been fully vaccinated against coronavirus no longer need to wear masks while indoors or outdoors or physical distance in either large or small gatherings.

Walensky’s announcement still encourages wearing masks in crowded indoor settings like buses, planes, hospitals, prisons and homeless shelters.

“We have all longed for this moment when we can get back to some sense of normalcy,” Walensky said at the press briefing. “Based on the continuing downward trajectory of cases, the scientific data on the performance of our vaccines and our understanding of how the virus spreads, that moment has come for those who are fully vaccinated.”

The CDC Director also noted that Immunocompromised individuals should consult a physician before giving up masks, warning that if the country’s case counts go back up the guidance could change. “This virus can be unpredictable, so if things get worse there is always a chance we need to make a change to these recommendations,” she said.

Walensky also advised people to go back to wearing masks and get tested right away if they develop possible COVID-19 symptoms.

The Clay County Public Health Center Emergency Health Order still stands in Phase 3 of the Recovery Plan, and has not been updated as of the publication of this story. If the Public Health Center announces any updates to the Recovery Plan, KPGZ News will post that announcement.

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story