US: Vaccinated people don't need to wear masks

Washington - Decision follows data showing the extremely high efficacy of vaccines

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday announced it was lifting mask-wearing requirements for people fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

"Anyone who is fully vaccinated can participate in indoor and outdoor activities, large or small, without wearing a mask or physical distancing," said CDC director Rochelle Walensky.

"If you are fully vaccinated, you can start doing the things that you had stopped doing because of the pandemic."

The decision follows accumulating data showing the extremely high efficacy of vaccines, not just to prevent symptomatic Covid-19 but also infection.

In the rare case that someone who is fully vaccinated becomes infected, research has shown they are unlikely to have a high viral load in their nose and therefore very unlikely to transmit the disease onward.

According to the CDC's website, masks may still be required on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation travelling into, within, or out of the United States, and in US transportation hubs such as airports and stations.