Pennsylvania Lifts Mask Mandate for the Fully Vaccinated

Pennsylvania has lifted its face mask mandate for people fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

The move comes just a few hours after updated guidance from the federal Center for Disease Control and Prevention said masks weren’t necessary for people who’ve gotten the full COVID vaccine.

That includes both indoors and outdoors, with only a few exceptions. Masks are still required for people on public transportation and in transportation hubs like airports and bus and train stations.

Local businesses and workplaces may also choose to still enforce mask requirements on their customers and employees.

According to a statement from the Pennsylvania Dept. of Health, the mask mandate is still in place for people who haven’t gotten their full COVID vaccine. But there are no rules in place regarding the so-called vaccine passports so no one is required by any law to show that they’ve been fully vaccinated.

Acting Health Sec. Alison Beam said the mask mandate in Pennsylvania will be lifted when 70% of adults here are fully vaccinated against COVID.

“This is another incentive to get the vaccine that is now easily and conveniently available,” Beam said in a statement Thursday.

Earlier this week, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf announced updated capacity limits for indoor and outdoor events in the state. Starting May 17, indoor events can have up to 50% capacity and outdoor events can have up to 75% in attendance. Those limits go away completely on May 31. There’s a different timetable for Philadelphia.

 

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