New Mask Guidelines
CDC Eases Outdoor Mask Guidelines for Vaccinated Individuals
On April 27, 2021, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) released an illustration of its updated guidelines with a chart that ranks activities from "safest to less safe to least safe" for both vaccinated and unvaccinated people. The new CDC guidance states that fully vaccinated Americans can go without masks outdoors when walking, jogging, or biking outdoors, dining with friends at outdoor restaurants and having small outdoor gatherings with a mix of vaccinated and unvaccinated people. Even unvaccinated individuals may go without masks when walking, jogging, or biking outdoors, which may bring an end to outdoor mask mandates in many public spaces.
Choosing Safer Activities
Unvaccinated People
- Outdoor Activities
- Safest:
- Walk, run, or bike outdoors with members of your household
- Attend a small, outdoor gathering with fully vaccinated family and friends
- Attend a small, outdoor gathering with fully vaccinated and unvaccinated people
- Less Safe:
- Dine at an outdoor restaurant with friends from multiple households
- Least Safe:
- Attend a crowded, outdoor event, like a live performance, parade, or sports event
- Attend a crowded, outdoor event, like a live performance, parade, or sports event
- Safest:
- Indoor Activities
- Less Safe:
- Visit a barber or hair salon
- Go to an uncrowded, indoor shopping center or museum
- Ride public transport with limited occupancy
- Attend a small, indoor gathering of fully vaccinated and unvaccinated people from multiple households
- Least Safe:
- Go to an indoor movie theater
- Attend a full-capacity worship service
- Sing in an indoor chorus
- Eat at an indoor restaurant or bar
- Participate in an indoor, high-intensity exercise class
- Less Safe:
Vaccinated People
- Outdoor Activities
- Safest:
- Walk, run, or bike outdoors with members of your household
- Attend a small, outdoor gathering with fully vaccinated family and friends
- Attend a small, outdoor gathering with fully vaccinated and unvaccinated people
- Dine at an outdoor restaurant with friends from multiple households
- Attend a crowded, outdoor event, like a live performance, parade, or sports event
- Safest:
- Indoor Activities
- Safest:
- Visit a barber or hair salon
- Go to an uncrowded, indoor shopping center or museum
- Ride public transport with limited occupancy
- Attend a small, indoor gathering of fully vaccinated and unvaccinated people from multiple households
- Go to an indoor movie theater
- Attend a full-capacity worship service
- Sing in an indoor chorus
- Eat at an indoor restaurant or bar
- Participate in an indoor, high-intensity exercise class
- Safest:
Get a COVID-19 Vaccine
Prevention measures are not needed.
Fully vaccinated people: wear a mask
Unvaccinated people: wear a mask, stay 6 feet apart, and wash your hands.
- Safety levels assume the recommended prevention measures are followed, both by the individual and the venue (if applicable).
- CDC cannot provide the specific risk level for every activity in every community. It is important to consider your own personal situation and the risk to you, your family, and your community before venturing out.
Get Answers to Your Questions!
Join State Epidemiologist Dr. Linda Bell and other trusted community leaders for discussions about the COVID-19 Vaccine.
Wednesday, May 5, 2021 @ 6:00 p.m.
W.A. Perry Middle School in partnership with Trinity Episcopal Cathedral Presents:
Virtual Community Forum
COVID-19 Vaccine Information
Wednesday, May 5, 2021 @ 6:00 PM
Get Answers to Your Questions
Join State Epidemiologist Dr. Linda Bell and other trusted community leaders for discussions about the COVID-19 vaccine.
Email all questions and concerns to jameka.young@richlandone.org.
S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control
FREE COVID-19 VACCINE CLINIC - COLUMBIA PLACE MALL
7201 Two Notch Road
Columbia, SC 29223
All South Carolinians 16 are eligible
FREE COVID-19 VACCINE CLINIC
All South Carolinians 16+ are eligible
Clinic Open 7 Days a Week, 7 AM-7 PM
Columbia Place Mall (Richland County)
7201 Two Notch Road
Columbia, SC 29223
No ID Required. Walk-ins Welcome.
Information or Assistance: Call 1-866-365-8110
This new vaccination center at Columbia Place Mall will be providing the Pfizer vaccine at drive-through and walk-in vaccination stations. Sign language and Spanish interpreters are available in person along with translation services for all languages.
Accommodations for people with access and functional needs are provided. If you need transportation to your appointment, call 803-255-7123 to make a reservation with The COMET.
Remember to register for your second-dose appointment following your first-dose appointment.
