A teacher assisting a student with his mask

Protect Family Members

Some members in your family may need to continue to take steps to protect themselves from COVID-19, including

Anyone not fully vaccinated, including children under 5 years who are not eligible for COVID-19 vaccines.

People with weakened immune systems or underlying medical conditions.

Get Vaccinated

Authorized COVID-19 vaccines can help protect you from COVID-19.

You should get a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as you can.

Once you are fully vaccinated, you may be able to start doing some things that you had stopped doing because of the pandemic.

Wear a mask

Everyone 2 years or older who is not fully vaccinated should wear a mask in indoor public places.

In general, you do not need to wear a mask in outdoor settings.

In areas with high numbers of COVID-19 cases, consider wearing a mask in crowded outdoor settings and for activities with close contact with others who are not fully vaccinated.

People who have a condition or are taking medications that weaken their immune system may not be fully protected even if they are fully vaccinated. They should continue to take all precautions recommended for unvaccinated people, including wearing a well-fitted mask, until advised otherwise by their healthcare provider.

If you are fully vaccinated, to maximize protection and prevent possibly spreading COVID-19 to others, wear a mask indoors in public if you are in an area of substantial or high transmission.

Wearing a mask over your nose and mouth is required on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States and while indoors at U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and stations. Travelers are not required to wear a mask in outdoor areas of a conveyance (like on open deck areas of a ferry or the uncovered top deck of a bus).

Stay 6 feet away from others

Inside your home: 

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

If possible, maintain 6 feet between the person who is sick and other household members.

Outside your home: 

Remember that some people without symptoms may be able to spread virus.

Stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arm lengths) from other people, especially if you are at higher risk of getting very sick.

The original text appeared in the article “How to Protect Yourself & Others” in the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s website which you access here.