On May 17, 2021, the State of Illinois announced it will follow CDC guidance regarding mask requirements. This will allow fully vaccinated individuals to stop wearing a mask and practice social distancing in most indoor and outdoor settings. Individuals are considered fully vaccinated 2 weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series, or 2 weeks after a single-dose vaccine. According to the latest CDC Guidance, it is recommended that unvaccinated people continue to take preventative measures such as wearing a mask and practicing social distancing.
Both vaccinated and unvaccinated people should continue to wear masks on public transportation, in congregate facilities and in healthcare settings.
Those fully vaccinated can:
- Resume activities without wearing masks or physically distancing, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance
• Resume domestic travel and refrain from testing before or after travel or self-quarantine after travel
• Refrain from testing before leaving the United States for international travel (unless required by the destination) and refrain from self-quarantine after arriving back in the United States
• Refrain from testing following a known exposure, if asymptomatic, with some exceptions for specific settings
• Refrain from quarantine following a known exposure if asymptomatic
• Refrain from routine screening testing if feasible
Nothing in the Executive Order prevents businesses, nonprofits, and other organizations from undertaking stricter or additional public health measures. In fact, businesses are encouraged to prioritize the health and safety of their workers and customers, and may continue to require masks and/or social distancing where they deem necessary; for both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals.