McKee Ends Masking in RI Starting Tuesday

McKee Ends Masking in RI Starting Tuesday

Governor Dan McKee announced that he is ending masking in RI.

He said his policy change is intended to align with the guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  McKee has previously ignored CDC guidance when he began re-opening the state after being sworn in.

To date, 2,700 Rhode Islanders have died from the coronavirus and RI ranks 2nd highest in the United States for cases per capita and continues to rank 4th in the country for deaths.

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Hospitalizations have now dropped to around 100 cases on a daily average.

McKee’s administration also announced that Rhode Island will be moving up its reopening timeline from May 28th to May 21st. Rhode Island recorded an additional 139 new cases on 11,000 tests. Tasting under McKee has been inconsistent.

On Thursday, the CDC announced that fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear a mask or physically distance in any setting, except where they are still required to do so by state officials, local officials, workplaces, or businesses. People are fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or two weeks after receiving a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.         

Vaccinated people who want to err on the side of caution can still wear masks when around other people. If you have a condition or take medications that weaken your immune system, talk to your healthcare provider about whether you should continue wearing your mask.         

Who still has to wear a mask and practice social distancing?
 

- People who are not fully vaccinated. This includes children from 2 to 12 years of age. Children younger than 12 cannot be vaccinated.
- Both vaccinated and unvaccinated people in healthcare settings. Examples of healthcare settings include doctors’ offices, hospitals, and nursing homes.
- Both vaccinated and unvaccinated people traveling on public transportation (for example, planes, buses, trains, etc.).
- Both vaccinated and unvaccinated people in facilities that serve people experiencing homelessness, including residents and employees.
- Teachers, school administrators, and staff should continue to wear masks while in school, even if they are fully vaccinated.
- Both vaccinated and unvaccinated employees and customers of businesses that require masks.