Heading outside? The CDC says you can ditch the mask

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention announced on Tuesday that fully vaccinated Americans no longer need to wear a mask outdoors when dining out, hiking, biking or jogging except in “certain crowded settings and venues."

The new guidelines, readjusted just as Americans are gearing up for the busy summer travel season, are expected to end mask mandates at national parks, some amusement parks and other outdoor venues.

Currently, face masks are required at all national parks in the United States.

According to the CDC, over 95 million Americans have been vaccinated, that’s 28.9% of the population. As vaccination numbers increase, more COVID-19-related health guidelines are expected to loosen.

"If you are fully vaccinated and want to attend a small outdoor gathering with people who are vaccinated and unvaccinated, or dine at an outdoor restaurant with friends from multiple households, the science shows if you are vaccinated, you can do so safely unmasked," CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said during a virtual White House briefing on Tuesday via CNN.

"Generally, for vaccinated people, outdoor activities without a mask are safe. However, we continue to recommend masking in crowded outdoor settings and venues, such as packed stadiums and concerts where there is decreased ability to maintain physical distance and where many unvaccinated people may also be present," Walensky said. "We will continue to recommend this until widespread vaccination is achieved."

Though fully vaccinated Americans may also interact with other fully vaccinated people indoors without masks or social distancing (even if some in attendance aren’t vaccinated), face masks are still advised when attending large, crowded indoor gatherings like concerts or sporting events.

Unvaccinated Americans are still advised to continue to social distance and wear masks to outdoor events and activities (like outdoor dining) where other unvaccinated people may be.