US House of Representatives, Mask Mandate Exemption for COVID-19 Vaccinated Individuals

Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, is removing her mask before speaking to reporters at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., on the 19th of last month (local time).

[Asia Economy Reporter Ji-hwan Park] At the United States House of Representatives, people who have completed COVID-19 vaccination no longer need to wear masks.

On the 11th (local time), the US CNN reported that House members, staff, and visitors who have completed COVID-19 vaccination can move around indoors at the House of Representatives without masks. However, those who have not been vaccinated must still wear masks and maintain social distancing.

According to a survey conducted by CNN last month, 100% of Democratic House members and 92% of Republican Senators have completed vaccination. The vaccination rate among Republican House members was 44.8%.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi mandated mask-wearing for all members and aides inside the House except when a Republican House member tested positive for COVID-19 last year and was giving a speech. Meanwhile, the Senate decided not to mandate masks.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced on the 13th of last month in revised mask guidelines that fully vaccinated people can remove masks both indoors and outdoors. However, Brian Monahan, the House physician, notified House members on the same day that masks must still be worn inside the House of Representatives.

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