HARRISBURG (NewsRadio KDKA) — Pennsylvania Department of Health's Acting Secretary Alison Beam announced Thursday that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's mask order will also be reflected in the commonwealth.
Nearly two months ago, the Department's secretary of health amended the language for mask-wearing policies to take fully vaccinated people into account.
The current masking restrictions will still be in effect for all unvaccinated persons until Pennsylvania reaches the 70% vaccination benchmark (for residents 18 and older).
And Beam reiterated to Pennsylvanians that today's updates will only be for those who have been vaccinated.
"Today's guidance from the CDC affects only people who are fully vaccinated," Beam stated.
"This is another incentive to get the vaccine that is now easily and conveniently available. Once 70 percent of Pennsylvanians over 18 are fully vaccinated, we can completely lift the masking order."
The CDC stated Thursday that those with all vaccinations can now go back to not wearing masks or social distancing in locations or doing activities that aren't under a current legal mandate.
So in other words, people with their vaccinations can go back to relative normality.
There are some exceptions, though.
Places that might still be operating under the mandates, like local businesses or some workplaces, will still require mask-wearing and the distancing.