Biden Finally Removes Mask... US Eases Outdoor Mask Guidelines

CDC Advises Fully Vaccinated People Can Remove Masks Outdoors Where Few People Are Present
Mask Use Recommended at Sports Events and Performances
Biden: "Get Vaccinated to Take Off Masks"

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Baek Jong-min] U.S. President Joe Biden was seen without a mask. This follows the recommendation by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that people who have completed COVID-19 vaccination do not need to wear masks outdoors unless they are in large crowds.

U.S. President Joe Biden is leaving the podium without a mask after delivering an outdoor speech on the 27th.

On the 27th (local time), President Biden left the podium without a mask after delivering a speech in the White House garden. He wore a mask while moving to the speech venue but removed it for the speech and returned to his office without a mask afterward.

On the same day, the CDC relaxed its guideline that recommended wearing masks outdoors when unable to maintain a distance of 6 feet (about 1.8 meters) from others. Even if unvaccinated people are present, masks can be removed at small outdoor gatherings. The president publicly demonstrated his compliance with this guideline.

The CDC still recommends wearing masks at outdoor events with large crowds such as sports games and concerts, as well as indoors at places like beauty salons, barbershops, shopping malls, movie theaters, and religious facilities such as churches.

President Biden explained the guideline change by saying, "Scientists have confirmed based on data that the likelihood of transmission is very, very low."

AP News also pointed out that this guideline update is "another carefully calculated step on the journey back to normalcy from the COVID-19 outbreak."

President Biden encouraged vaccination by stating, "We must carry out the patriotic duty of getting vaccinated right now to be able to take off masks."

He predicted that 215 million vaccine doses have been administered since his inauguration and that 250 million doses will be administered by the 100th day of his presidency on the 29th.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.