"Liberty, liberty, liberty," is how Mayor Bill de Blasio explained the process of getting vaccinated and benefiting from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) latest guidelines, which enable the 'fully' vaccinated to avoid wearing masks. However, he cautioned that New Yorkers would still have to obey a few regulations.
The updated CDC recommendations take effect in New York City on Wednesday, but the president clarified that those who are properly immunized would also need to wear masks in the following areas, as a matter of common sense: schools, subways (all public transportation), hospitals, nursing homes, and local government offices.
“It’s just common sense,” de Blasio said. “The masks have helped us all to be healthier. Keep the masks on in those settings whether you are vaccinated or not.”
More than 7.5 million New Yorkers have been immunized, far exceeding the mayor's initial target of five million by June.
It means the city is heading toward a more familiar way of life, and it's happening sooner than most people anticipated.
De Blasio advises people in New York to wear masks if they are unsure about the new rules.
Mayor Bill de Blasio also said that vaccinated New Yorkers are free to continue wearing masks if they don't understand the regulations or if it helps them feel more relaxed, after the state issued recommendations stating that inoculated citizens should remove the coverings in certain environments.
“If you are vaccinated, you have a lot more freedom and that’s important to recognize,” de Blasio said Wednesday during a City Hall press briefing.
The mayor said he believes that regardless of the policy, “A lot of people are going to keep their masks on right now because they just want to be careful and I think that will go on for a while.”
Meanwhile, for the first time since mid-October, the Big Apple's coronavirus markers are all below the city's previously established thresholds.
“All the indicators have entirely gone in the right direction,” de Blasio said. “This is a really important day. It proves vaccination works.”