An increasing number of American states are looking to remove mask mandates and other pandemic restrictions, as COVID-19 cases drop to their lowest point since December.
Citizens should continue to wear masks at indoor venues, including public transportation and schools regardless of their vaccination status, say the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) which has been a fierce critic of completely removing the restriction.
“We’re not quite there yet,” CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky told reporters last week.
The CDC “still recommends” both the vaccinated and the unvaccinated to wear “a well-fitting mask consistently and while indoors.”
“That’s consistent with our guidance that still also recommends that people mask in public indoor settings in areas of high or substantial transmission.”
However, the drop in cases has led some US states to partially or completely rule out the restriction. Here are some of the states that already have or will soon remove the restriction.
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Nevada
Nevada lifted its mask mandate on Feb. 10, announced Governor Steve Sisolak.
Rhode Island
This state made it unnecessary to wear a mask indoors on Feb. 11.
Delaware
The state’s masking mandate for all types of businesses and workplaces ended on Feb. 11. Masks will still be required at schools until Mar. 31, according to Governor John Carney.
California
From Feb. 15, fully vaccinated Californians will no longer be required to wear a mask in indoor settings. Unvaccinated people will still need to comply with the mandate, especially in hospitals and schools.
New York
Visitors to New York no longer need to be vaccinated or wear a mask while entering indoor venues. The school mask mandate will likewise be lifted on Feb. 21.
Illinois
Governor J.B. Pritzker of Illinois has announced that the mask-wearing restriction for indoor areas will be removed on Feb. 28.
Oregon
Oregon’s masking rules for indoor public spaces will be removed on Mar. 31, said Governor Kate Brown.
A number of European countries, including Sweden, Denmark, and Norway, have begun to lift all COVID-19 restrictions as they seek to categorize the virus as non-harmful for society.