(Newser)
– It’s a step towards normalcy, now that more photos are being shared than ever before: the CDC issued new guidelines on Monday with greater freedoms for people who have been completely vaccinated. It is possible that the rules will satisfy grandparents who want to see their grandchildren in person for the first time in a year or so – provided they live nearby. Some of the most important moments:
- Who qualifies: Completely vaccinated are those who received both doses of Modern or Pfizer vaccines or a single dose of Johnson & Johnson vaccine. However, as CNN notes, people are not considered fully vaccinated until two weeks after the final shot.
- Visits: The CDC says it is safe for these people to visit indoors with unvaccinated people from a single household without wearing masks or social distances, depending on Washington Post. But long-distance travel is still discouraged and such visits should not take place if any of the unvaccinated people are at risk of serious illness.
- Example: “Fully vaccinated grandparents can visit indoors with their unvaccinated healthy daughter and healthy children without wearing masks or physical distance, provided none of the unvaccinated family members are at risk for severe COVID-19,” the CDC said. News.
- Assemblies: Fully vaccinated people can gather inside with other fully vaccinated people without wearing masks.
- Unchanged: These people should continue to take the usual measures of wearing a mask and social distancing in public, during meetings with unvaccinated people from several households or when they are close to people at higher risk, according to the PA. It should continue to avoid medium and large groups, poorly ventilated indoor spaces and domestic and international travel.
- Exposure: If exposed to COVID, those who are fully vaccinated should not self-quarantine or be tested unless they have symptoms.
- A reward: Former CDC chief Dr. Richard Besser praised the new guidelines. “It opens the door for grandparents to meet with children and grandchildren without masks, indoors, for a nice group hug,” he told NBC.
(Read more pandemic stories.)