CDC says fully vaccinated people do not need to wear masks indoors or outdoors

The CDC has this afternoon updated its COVID-19 guidance to state that people who are fully vaccinated do not need to wear masks indoors or outdoors.

CDC mask guidelines May 13 2021

"If you are fully vaccinated, you can start doing the things that you had stopped doing because of the pandemic," Dr. Rochelle Walensky said during a White House briefing. "We have all longed for this moment when we can get back to some sense of normalcy."

It now remains to be seen how Disney will respond to this update to guide its policies at Walt Disney World. Orange County still has a mask mandate in effect, although the mayor has recently commented that he expects to reach the goal of 50% vaccination levels by this week, which would result in Orange County lifting the mask mandate for people outdoors. A briefing by Orange County will take place later Friday afternoon, so we will soon find out if the CDC guidance will change any of the Orange County plans.

According to the latest guidance, fully vaccinated people can:

• Resume activities without wearing masks or physically distancing, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance
• Resume domestic travel and refrain from testing before or after travel or self-quarantine after travel
• Refrain from testing before leaving the United States for international travel (unless required by the destination) and refrain from self-quarantine after arriving back in the United States
• Refrain from testing following a known exposure, if asymptomatic, with some exceptions for specific settings
• Refrain from quarantine following a known exposure if asymptomatic
• Refrain from routine screening testing if feasible

As of writing, Disney's mask policy remains as:

Face coverings are required for all Guests (ages 2 and up) and Cast Members, including those who have received a COVID-19 vaccine. Please bring your own face coverings and wear them at all times, except when dining or swimming. You may temporarily remove your face covering while actively eating, drinking or taking an outdoor photo, but you must be stationary and maintain appropriate physical distancing during this time.