The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says those who are fully vaccinated can largely stop wearing masks — and in the past two days, both the governor of Virginia and Alexandria officials have agreed.
Saturday morning, Alexandria City Council unanimously passed an ordinance to bring the city in line with state regulations.
According to the Virginia Department of Health, “fully vaccinated means 2 weeks or more have passed since getting the second dose of a two-dose vaccine (e.g., Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna), or 2 weeks or more have passed since getting 1 dose of a single-dose vaccine (e.g., Johnson & Johnson [Janssen]).”
The new state regulations are available at www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus/cloth-face-covers.
Private businesses will still be able to make their own rules for health and safety, including requiring masks.
Rachel Stradling, environmental health manager for the Alexandria Health Department, said she fielded calls from concerned Alexandria business owners Friday night. They mostly had questions about what they can and can't ask such as asking for proof of vaccination (which they cannot, she said).
"It took a lot of people by surprise," she said. Some business owners noted that with many big box stores relaxing their mask requirements, they feel compelled to follow, she said. "We'll see."
According to Virginia officials:
The CDC guidelines state that fully-vaccinated individuals do not have to wear masks in most indoor settings, except on public transit, in health care facilities, and in congregate settings. Businesses retain the ability to require masks in their establishments. Employees who work in certain business sectors—including restaurants, retail, fitness, personal care, and entertainment—must continue to wear masks unless fully vaccinated, per CDC guidance. Those who are unvaccinated or not fully-vaccinated are strongly encouraged to wear masks in all settings.
In addition, Gov. Ralph Northam has relaxed capacity limits at entertainment and recreational sports venues, social gatherings and more, as Virginia residents continue to get vaccinated and coronavirus transmission rates decline. (Read more about the relaxed restrictions here.) A further reduction of capacity limits will occur on May 28, two weeks earlier than planned and in time for the Memorial Day weekend holiday.
“Virginians have been working hard, and we are seeing the results in our strong vaccine numbers and dramatically lowered case counts,” Gov. Northam said. “That’s why we can safely move up the timeline for lifting mitigation measures in Virginia. I strongly urge any Virginian who is not yet vaccinated to do so—the vaccines are the best way to protect yourself and your community from COVID-19. The message is clear: vaccinations are how we put this pandemic in the rearview mirror and get back to being with the people we love and doing the things we have missed.”
