Pennsylvania – Pennsylvania is following along with the new CDC recommendations, saying that fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear masks or face covering in most situations.
PA’s Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam, however, does say that masking rules are still in effect for anyone who isn’t fully vaccinated and the mask order won’t fully be lifted in PA until 70 percent of Pennsylvanians 18 and older are fully vaccinated.
Still, it does mean that for anyone who is at least two weeks out from their last COVID-19 vaccine, they can stop wearing a mask in most places.
You’ll still need to wear a mask on public transport like planes, buses, and trains, as well as in airports and stations. Private businesses and companies still have the ability to require customers to wear a mask while inside their buildings if they want.
Because these CDC guidelines are very new at this point, expect it to take a while before companies update their policies. In the meantime, be patient and follow whatever rules they have in place. Be kind to the employees who are trying to keep up with these new changes.
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Harrisburg, PA – Department of Health Acting Secretary Alison Beam announced that the commonwealth’s mask order reflects the announcement made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Thursday.
On March 16, 2021, the SOH amended the commonwealth’s mask order by adding language directing to the CDC’s guidance for fully vaccinated people allow for no face coverings. That means that today’s CDC guidelines automatically go into effect in Pennsylvania. Masking requirement will still be in place as otherwise provided under the CDC guidance and for unvaccinated individuals until 70 percent of Pennsylvanians age 18 and older are fully vaccinated.
“Today’s guidance from the CDC affects only people who are fully vaccinated” Acting Secretary Beam said. “This is another incentive to get the vaccine that is now easily and conveniently available. Once 70 percent of Pennsylvanians over 18 are fully vaccinated, we can completely lift the masking order.”
The CDC today provided guidance that fully vaccinated individuals can resume activities that they did prior to the pandemic without wearing a mask or physically distancing except where required by law, rule, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance. Under the guidance, individuals are still be required to wear a mask on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States, and in U.S. transportation hubs, such as airports and stations. In addition, all individuals will still need to follow guidance at workplaces and local businesses.
For more information on the CDC guidance, visit here.
People can find vaccination locations near them using Vaccines.gov, also known as Vaccine Finder. Individuals also can text their zip code to GETVAX (438829) for English, or VACUNA (822862) for Spanish and receive three possible vaccination sites in their area.
