CDC, CDPH Recommend Indoor Masking, Regardless of Vaccination Status

In a shift from previous guidance, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Tuesday recommended that all Americans wear a face covering when in public indoor settings in areas of substantial or high COVID-19 transmission, regardless of vaccination status. The CDC’s masking update comes as sharp increases in B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant cases emerge throughout the U.S. Under Tuesday’s announcement, the CDC adds testing recommendations for fully vaccinated persons following an exposure to COVID-19 and further recommends universal indoor masking for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors to K-12 schools, regardless of vaccination status.

Following Tuesday’s CDC announcement, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) similarly updated its Guidance for Face Coverings, recommending that face coverings are used in public indoor settings, regardless of vaccination status. CDC notes that more than 90 percent of California’s population currently reside in jurisdictions designated as substantial or high transmission by the CDC.

The CDC’s updated guidance is available here. A press announcement from CDPH is available here.