CDC Updates Guidance on Mask Use Outdoors

By Kelly Young

Edited by David G. Fairchild, MD, MPH, and Lorenzo Di Francesco, MD, FACP, FHM

The CDC now says that fully vaccinated people can safely participate in small-to-medium social gatherings outdoors without a mask.

This includes eating outdoors at a restaurant with friends and attending small gatherings outdoors with vaccinated and unvaccinated people. Masks should still be worn outdoors for large, crowded activities like sporting events, concerts, or parades.

For people who aren't vaccinated, the only safe, unmasked outdoor activities are gathering outdoors with fully vaccinated friends and exercising with members of their own household. Masks are still recommended in other circumstances.

All people should continue to wear masks indoors, the CDC emphasizes.

The agency made the changes as the number of new COVID-19 cases in the U.S. is falling and over half of adults have received at least one dose of vaccine.