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Health director says state still aiming for vaccine benchmarks despite CDC mask announcement
Elizabeth Hertel from MDHHS said that the recent announcement by the CDC allowing those vaccinated to go without masks indoors in most situations is leading to cautious optimism. The state is following the CDC recommendation but hopes it provides an incentive for those waiting to get vaccinated.
SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (FOX 2) - On Friday, Michigan lifted the mask mandate for fully vaccinated people, following guidance from the CDC said that fully vaccinated people don't need to wear a mask in most situations.
The state issued the update Friday morning, effective on Saturday at 9 a.m., less than 24 hours after the CDC advised that masks for people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 are not necessary in most settings.
According to the guidance, vaccinated people don't need to wear masks in most indoor spaces and outdoors, even when there are crowds. They still should be worn in crowded indoor places, such as buses, planes, hospitals, prisons, and homeless shelters.
After review by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the MDHHS released an update to the state's epidemic order, lifting the mask requirement that had been in place for more than a year.
READ NEXT: Even with CDC guidance, not everyone is ready to ditch the mask
"With millions of Michiganders fully vaccinated, we can now safely and confidently take the next step to get back to normal," Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said. "The message is clear: vaccines work to protect you and your loved ones. If you have not yet received your vaccine, now is the time to sign up. This pandemic has been one of the toughest challenges of our lifetimes, but we came together as a state to persevere. We have all been working incredibly hard toward getting back to some sense of normalcy, and today's news makes all of that work worthwhile."
Under the new state guidance, people who are not vaccinated should continue to wear masks while inside. They do not need to wear masks while outside. The mask order for unvaccinated people is in effect until July 1.
However, that doesn't mean every business is now allowing unmasked people inside to shop. The businesses can still ultimately decide to require masks or not.
Below is a growing list of stores that still require masks and those that do not.
Michigan stores requiring masks
- CVS Health said it is re-evaluating its policy on masks given the CDC’s new guidance. "Until that evaluation is complete, the existing company policies on face coverings and maintaining social distance in stores and clinics remain in effect," a representative said in a statement. "The safety of our employees, customers and vendors will continue to guide our decision-making process."
- Home Depot - the store said it will keep its policy for shoppers and employers for wearing masks.
- Walgreens - keeping policy for now but reviewing.
- Bed Bath and Beyond - spokesperson told Business Insider they're keeping the mask policy for now
- Ikea - the company said mask and social-distancing protocols will continue "for the time being" to protect staff and customers.
- JCPenney - masks still required as company monitors the situation
- Gap/Old Navy - Masks required as they review the policy and CDC guidance.
Michigan stores relaxing mask requirements
- Meijer - announced on Monday that it would drop its mask policy for people fully vaccinated against COVID-19
- Kroger, the nation’s largest supermarket chain, dropped its mask requirements effective Thursday, May 20 for fully vaccinated people.
- Walmart - customers who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 do not need to wear a mask in its stores in light of the agency’s guidance.
- Sam's Club - owned by Walmart, the warehouse has the same policy as the retailer.
- Target - announced on Monday, several days after the CDC changed its guidance, that it will no longer require fully vaccinated guests and team members to wear face coverings in stores, except where it’s required by local ordinances.
- Costco - announced on Friday that it will allow customers who are fully vaccinated to enter stores without a mask only in locations where state or local jurisdiction does not have a mask mandate. The company said it will also not require proof of vaccination.
- Trader Joe’s on Friday, updated its website with a statement that encourages shoppers to follow guidance from health officials. This includes, "as appropriate, CDC guidelines that advise customers who are fully vaccinated are not required to wear masks while shopping."
- Starbucks announced it will also no longer require facial coverings for fully vaccinated customers unless they're required by local laws. The new policy takes effect May 17.