“This is not a decision that we or CDC have made lightly,” said Dr. Rochelle Walensky. The CDC's director also noted that due to a high number of cases nationwide the agency is considering more steps to help curb the rate of infection."
In a sweeping guidance announced on Thursday, the CDC eased the mask enforcement for fully vaccinated individuals under most situations. It still calls for wearing masks in crowded indoor settings like public transportation and hospitals, but also clears the way for more businesses and schools to open back up.