As COVID-19 vaccines have proved to be effective in reducing people’s risk from becoming infected and spreading the virus, certain restrictions such as mask-wearing or social distancing have been lifted for fully vaccinated individuals. This allows people to resume activities they stopped partaking in due to the pandemic. Those who are fully vaccinated have either received two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine, or the single dose of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine two weeks prior. Individuals who take certain medications or have conditions that weaken their immune system may be at risk although they are fully vaccinated. These individuals must talk to their healthcare provider. All the information is from the CDC website.

Masks and Social Distancing

Fully vaccinated individuals are not required to wear masks or maintain a six-feet distance in indoor or outdoor settings except workplaces or businesses that have their own requirements. Outdoor activities include walks and sports events while indoor activities include salons, table service in restaurants, movie theaters, and gatherings with people from multiple households. Certain indoor or outdoor activities that are considered unsafe for unvaccinated individuals are safe for fully vaccinated people without masks or social distancing. Those who are fully vaccinated are still required to wear masks when traveling in forms of public transportation, such as planes or buses. 

Testing and Traveling

When traveling within the U.S., fully vaccinated individuals are not required to get tested before traveling or self-quarantine after. However, when traveling internationally to the U.S., those requirements remain. When travelling internationally, it is important to research the COVID risk levels of one’s destination. It is vital to keep in mind that although an individual might be fully vaccinated, they still have the potential to pass the virus on to others if infected. If a fully vaccinated person comes in contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19, they should get tested and stay away from others.