CDC revises COVID-19 guidelines, says fully vaccinated can exercise, gather outdoors without mask

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Tuesday revised its public health guidance, stating fully vaccinated people can exercise and attend small gatherings outdoors without wearing a mask.

People who have received their final vaccine shot can two weeks later exercise alone or with other household members outside without a face covering, according to the CDC website.

They can also meet outdoors within a small group of other fully vaccinated people, or a mixture of fully vaccinated and unvaccinated people, the agency also said. The guidance did not say what counts as a small gathering.

In announcing the new guidelines CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said people who are fully vaccinated could gather indoors as well without masks as long as they social distance by six feet.

"As we gather more and more data on the real-world efficacy of vaccines, we know that mast fully vaccinated people can safely attend worship services inside, go to an indoor restaurant or bar, and even participate in an indoor exercise class," Walensky said.

The guidelines mention that people should still wear a mask in certain instances, such as crowded venues and settings, and continue to avoid larger indoor settings. 

Walensky urged people to continue to get vaccinated.

"The more people who are vaccinated, the more steps we can take towards spending time with people we love doing the things we love to enjoy," she said. "I hope this message is encouraging for you. It shows just how powerful these vaccines are in our efforts to end this pandemic."