Lucy Dathan

Connecticut continues to move forward in its vaccination efforts and rates of new infections have steadily decreased over the past few days. Starting today, Connecticut is implementing new safety protocols concerning face masks following updated recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Masks will no longer be required in outdoor settings, and individuals who are fully vaccinated will not be required to wear masks or socially distance in indoor settings.

Masks are still required in indoor settings for those who are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated. Additionally, masks will still be required in certain settings such as healthcare facilities, facilities housing vulnerable populations, public and private transit, correctional facilities, schools, and childcare.

Private businesses, state and local government offices and other events may choose to require universal masking. Therefore, it is still important to keep a mask on hand while you’re out and about.

Over the coming weeks, the CDC and the state Department of Public Health will issue revised recommendations for face masks in businesses, large gatherings and events, and other settings, and more details of settings where masks will continue to be required.

As the state begins to fully reopen, it is important that we get as many people vaccinated as possible to avoid a resurgence of COVID-19 cases. If you still need to get a COVID-19 vaccine, please visit ct.gov/covidvaccine or call 877-918-2224 to learn more about our state's COVID-19 vaccination program or to schedule a vaccine appointment. A list of vaccine clinics accepting walk-up patients can be found here.