On March 8, 2021, the CDC issued its first set of guidance/recommendations for fully vaccinated individuals in non-healthcare settings. 

Under this guidance, the CDC defines “fully vaccinated” as two weeks after the individual has received their second dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines or two weeks after the individual received their Johnson and Johnson vaccine. 

Specifically, the CDC stated that fully vaccinated individuals may visit indoors without masks or six feet of distance (1) if all people present have been fully vaccinated or (2) if the unvaccinated individuals present are from a single household and are not a high risk for severe COVID disease.  Additionally, the CDC stated that fully vaccinated individuals (unless they reside in correctional/detention facilities or group homes) do not need to quarantine or test post-exposure provided they remain asymptomatic.

The CDC cautions that fully vaccinated people should otherwise continue to take the same precautions (masks and social distancing) when in public or visiting unvaccinated high risk COVID individuals and otherwise continue to avoid medium and large sized in person gatherings and otherwise cover coughs/sneezes and wash hands frequently.  Additionally, the CDC advises that fully vaccinated individuals should be tested for COVID if they are experiencing symptoms.  The CDC specifically stated that its travel recommendations remain unchanged even for fully vaccinated individuals. 

For employers, the CDC reminds even fully vaccinated employees to follow their employer’s guidance on COVID-19 protocols.