NEW YORK (WBEN) – New York state begins adopting the CDC's new guidance on mask wearing and social distancing for fully vaccinated people on Wednesday.
The new guidance means vaccinated people won't have to wear masks or social distance outside or inside in most circumstances. Masks will still be required in some settings, including schools, mass transit, health care facilities, nursing homes and homeless shelters.
In New York, unvaccinated and immunocompromised people must continue to wear a mask and maintain at least 6 feet of social distancing, but people who have waited two weeks after completing their inoculation series no longer have to do either.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo said it's up to businesses and venues to decide how to check someone's vaccination status. New Yorkers can use the Excelsior Pass smartphone app to prove their vaccination status.
Also on Wednesday, restaurants, stores, gyms and many other businesses can go back to 100% capacity in New York if they check vaccination cards or apps for proof that all patrons have been inoculated.
Last week, the CDC announced that people who have completed their vaccine series can quit wearing masks outdoors in crowds and in most indoor settings, and also give up social distancing. The guidance still calls for masks in crowded indoor settings including buses, airplanes, hospitals, prisons and homeless shelters.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
