People who are fully vaccinated may resume their pre-pandemic activities without wearing their face masks or keeping physical distance, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's new guidance.
CDC said the new guidance is effective immediately unless wearing masks and keeping physical distance are mandated by local directives or required by local business and workplace guidance.
"Although the CDC has issued new guidance relative to masks, Gov. Leon Guerrero continues to ask the people of Guam to wear their masks in public," Communications Director Krystal Paco San Agustin said.
"While we've reached our Path to Half, we continue aggressive efforts to achieve Operation Liberate Guam, or herd immunity. Also, now is not the time to take off the mask, especially as we've made significant changes, including increasing the social gathering limit to 100 people and easing quarantine restrictions for incoming travelers," San Agustin added.
Guamanians, after all, are in no rush to shed their masks.
"Just added protection," said Nanette Senior, an artist from Maina. "I want to increase my chances of being with my granddaughters in the states again. I miss them so much."
Senior has completed her two doses of Pfizer. "I want to be around longer so they can learn how to make mwar-mwars like their grandma," she said.
According to CDC, Covid-19 vaccines are effective at protecting people from getting sick. "Based on what we know about Covid-19 vaccines," CDC said, people who have been fully vaccinated can start to do some things that they had stopped doing because of the pandemic."
CDC said its recommendations can help Americans make decisions about daily activities after getting fully vaccinated. However, CDC said its recommendations are not intended for healthcare settings.
Tes Venzon, an accountant from Agana Heights, said she is inclined to continue covering her face in public places and keeping physical distance from people. "Because of the variants," she said. "Just to be safe."
After more than a year of following Covid-19 safety protocols, Tamuning resident Adoracion Manibusan said wearing a face mask has become as normal as wearing regular clothes.
"I'm used to it, even when I am walking in the morning," Manibusan said. "I will continue wearing masks, not only for protection but to avoid smoke and bad odor."
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CDC advises travelers to continue practicing safety measures.
Travelers are still be required to wear a mask on planes, buses, trains and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States, and in U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and stations.
"Fully vaccinated international travelers arriving in the United States are still required to get tested within three days of their flight (or show documentation of recovery from Covid-19 in the past three months) and should still get tested 3-5 days after their trip," CDC said.