Central Florida residents on both sides of new CDC mask guidelines for outdoor activities

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — We’re taking a closer look at the new Centers for Disease Control & Prevention guidelines about wearing masks outdoors.

The good news is, for the most part, you don’t have to if you’ve been vaccinated.

If you haven’t received the shot, there are still scenarios where you can unmask safely outdoors.

READ: School won’t hire staff who have been vaccinated against COVID-19

Channel 9′s Alexa Lorenzo spoke with people for and against the new guidance, which doesn’t change anything about indoor mask-wearing.

The CDC said Tuesday that people vaccinated or unvaccinated can walk, run or bike outdoors unmasked with people they live with.

The guidance indicated two weeks after someone received their final COVID-19 shot, they don’t need to wear their mask for small outdoor gatherings like dining outside with friends. However, it must be kept on for any crowded outdoor events like concerts, parades and sport events.

READ: ‘Cause for celebration’: Visit Orlando says Central Florida tourism on the rebound

The new guidelines could pave the way for local leaders to relax mask mandates now that vaccination rates are climbing. On Tuesday, Seminole County Commissioners vote to rescind county mask mandate if it should get rid of its mask mandate.

Orange County is expected to amend its mask mandate to align with the CDC’s new guidance. The mayor said that could happen as soon as Wednesday.

READ: ‘Get vaccinated now’: Biden discusses new CDC guidance on wearing masks outdoors

Cox Media Group