On April 27, 2021, the CDC issued new guidance for fully vaccinated persons.  Fully vaccinated means someone who is two weeks past their last dose of either Pfizer, Moderna or J&J’s Janssen vaccine.

The CDC guidance allows for fully vaccinated people to gather indoors with other fully vaccinated people without a mask.  And, to gather outdoors without a mask, except in crowded venues.  For travel within the United States, vaccinated persons will not be asked to self-quarantine or get tested before or after travel.  However, international travel will continue to be tricky due to restrictions of other countries.  Generally, vaccinated international travelers returning to the United States will not be asked to self-quarantine but should get tested for COVID within three to five days after travel.  

Employers should note that this new guidance will not impact the workplace, as the CDC asks employers to continue to provide protections for all employees in the workplace, including masks and distancing, whether they are vaccinated or not.  Likewise, until California modifies its laws and regulations, even if the CDC guidance allows fully vaccinated employees or workplaces to become mask-less or mask-optional, California employers should check for changes to California’s guidelines before unmasking.