Heather Curtis
WMAL.com
There’s good news if you’re tired of wearing a mask. Maryland and Virginia are lifting their mask mandates for fully vaccinated people starting Saturday in accordance with CDC guidance issued this week.
“Today is the day that so may of us have been waiting for and working toward. We finally do clearly see that light at the end of the tunnel. Our long hard-fought battle against the worst global pandemic in more than a century is finally nearing an end,” Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said at a press conference Friday.
Masks will still be required on public transportation, in schools and in health care settings.
Hogan and Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam are encouraging unvaccinated people to continue wearing masks in public.
“It’s very simple, it’s either a shot or a mask. It’s up to you,” Northam said in a video message posted to social media on Friday.
Northam and Hogan credited vaccinations with lowering COVID-19 metrics and allowing people to get back to their pre-pandemic lives. Both governors urged anyone who hasn’t been vaccinated to roll up their sleeves.
With COVID metrics improving and vaccination rates increasing, Saturday Maryland will lift all state-mandated capacity limits on businesses. Local jurisdictions can choose to remain more restrictive. Prince George’s County will allow businesses to open at 100% capacity without social distancing starting Monday.
Virginia will loosen some restrictions Saturday ahead of all capacity and distancing restrictions being lifted in businesses and public spaces on May 28.
Copyright 2021 by WMAL.com. All Rights Reserved. (Photo: AP)
