The CDC recently released updated recommendations for fully vaccinated individuals in non-healthcare settings. For purposes of the recommendations, a person is considered "fully vaccinated" two weeks after they have received the second dose in a two-dose series (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) or two weeks after they have received a single-dose vaccine (Johnson & Johnson).
The CDC noted that the currently authorized vaccines are highly effective at protecting vaccinated people against symptomatic and severe COVID-19. Additionally, a growing body of evidence suggests that fully vaccinated people are less likely to have asymptomatic infection and potentially less likely to transmit COVID-19 to others. However, how long vaccine protection lasts and how much vaccines protect against emerging COVID-19 variants is still under investigation.
Fully vaccinated people can:
Visit with other fully vaccinated people indoors without wearing masks or physical distancing;
Visit with unvaccinated people from a single household who are at low risk for severe COVID-19 disease indoors without wearing masks or physical distancing;
Refrain from quarantine and testing following a known exposure if asymptomatic.
However, fully vaccinated people should continue to:
Take precautions in public like wearing a well-fitted mask and physical distancing;
Wear masks, practice physical distancing, and adhere to other prevention measures when visiting with unvaccinated people who are at increased risk for severe COVID-19 disease or who have an unvaccinated household member who is at increased risk for severe COVID-19 disease;
Wear masks, maintain physical distance, and practice other prevention measures when visiting with unvaccinated people from multiple households;
Avoid medium- and large-sized in-person gatherings;
Get tested if experiencing COVID-19 symptoms;
Follow guidance issued by individual employers;
Follow CDC and health department travel requirements and recommendations.
The CDC's complete recommendation for fully vaccinated individuals is available here.
Employers are advised to consult with their legal counsel regarding specific questions or concerns. If you have any questions, or need assistance, please feel free to contact Jeremy D. Iosue or Jason T. Hartzell at (216) 651-0451.
This Employment Law Alert may provide an overview of specific federal and/or state laws and regulations. It is not intended to be, and should not be construed as, legal advice for any particular situation or individual.
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