Biden Also Removed His Mask

CDC "Vaccinated Individuals Recommended Not to Wear Masks at Outdoor Gatherings"
Signal for Return to Normal Life in Country with Highest COVID-19 Cases

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min, Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] U.S. President Joe Biden was seen without a mask on the 27th (local time). The United States, the country with the highest number of COVID-19 cases, is being recognized as taking steps toward returning to normal life.

President Biden left the podium without a mask after delivering a speech in the White House garden that day. Although he wore a mask while moving to the speech venue, he did not put the mask back on after finishing the speech and returned to his office.

Biden’s removal of the mask was in compliance with the recommendation announced that day by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). He said, "We must fulfill the patriotic duty of getting vaccinated right now to be able to take off masks."

According to the CDC’s relaxed mask-wearing guidelines, people who have completed vaccination no longer need to wear masks at small outdoor gatherings even if there are unvaccinated people present. This reflects the reality that the proportion of vaccinated adults has risen to over 30%.

There is also no need to wear masks when dining outdoors with friends consisting of more than one family. However, masks must be worn regardless of vaccination status at outdoor events with large crowds such as concerts or sports games, and in indoor public places such as beauty salons, shopping malls, movie theaters, and churches.

The U.S. is thus regarded as entering the initial phase of returning to normal life. This is the first time since the COVID-19 outbreak that the CDC has recommended removing masks in outdoor settings without social distancing. The Associated Press analyzed this as "another cautiously calculated step on the journey back to normalcy from the COVID-19 crisis."

Businesses and cultural facilities have also immediately started to return to pre-pandemic operations. Investment bank JP Morgan Chase announced to its employees that "all offices in the U.S. will reopen starting June 17," and that "remote work will end by July, and U.S.-based staff will return to offices."

Cultural facilities that had been closed for some time are also reopening one after another. The Smithsonian museums in Washington D.C. plan to open eight of their exhibition halls starting early next month. Initially, visitors will be admitted up to 25% of capacity, with plans to gradually increase the number of visitors. The National Museum of American History and the National Zoo will also allow visitors starting late next month.

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