ROCHESTER, N.Y. — New York state is adopting new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on mask use for fully vaccinated people, effective immediately.

It was a gorgeous day Tuesday at Highland Park in Rochester Tuesday, and dozens were out admiring the scenery.


What You Need To Know

  • New York state is adopting new guidance from the CDC on mask use for fully vaccinated people

  • Fully vaccinated people can unmask in several situations, according to the CDC

  • The new measures take effect immediately

“We volunteer downtown and we decided to come out after because tomorrow’s going to be a nasty day,” Kate Alessi of Webster said. “So we thought we better get the tulips in today.”

And Governor Cuomo said spending time outside like this can now be done by fully vaccinated people without the use of a mask, after adopting new guidance from the CDC Tuesday.

Other measures for fully vaccinated individuals now include:

  • Fully vaccinated workers no longer need to be restricted from work following an exposure as long as they are asymptomatic
  • Fully vaccinated residents of non-healthcare congregate settings no longer need to quarantine following a known exposure
  • Visit with other fully vaccinated people indoors without wearing masks or physical distancing
  • Visit with unvaccinated people (including children) from a single household who are at low risk for severe COVID-19 disease indoors without wearing masks or physical distancing
  • Participate in outdoor activities and recreation without a mask, except in certain crowded settings and venues
  • Resume domestic travel and refrain from testing before or after travel or self-quarantine after travel     
  • Refrain from testing before leaving the United States for international travel (unless required by the destination) and refrain from self-quarantine after arriving back in the United States     
  • Refrain from testing following a known exposure, if asymptomatic, with some exceptions for specific settings
  • Refrain from quarantine following a known exposure if asymptomatic
  • Refrain from routine screening testing if asymptomatic and feasible (in non-healthcare settings)


“I think it’s the right direction,” Alessi said. “People do need a physical and a psychological break, and I think this gives them a certain amount of that.”

Still, fully vaccinated residents Spectrum News spoke to say caution still needs to be exercised, and their masks were handy.

“You loosen up, but you’re still careful [and] still aware,” Alessi’s husband John said.

Especially for one mother, who says her three children are still too young to be vaccinated.

“It’s a step towards getting back to normal, but I say think of others who aren’t vaccinated, especially kids and people who might still be at risk for whatever reason,” Melissa Ziegler of Penfield said. “You still want to be respectful and protect them.”