Important update: Healthcare facilities
CDC has updated select ways to operate healthcare systems effectively in response to COVID-19 vaccination. Learn more
UPDATE
Given new evidence on the B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant, CDC has updated the guidance for fully vaccinated people. CDC recommends universal indoor masking for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors to K-12 schools, regardless of vaccination status. Children should return to full-time in-person learning in the fall with layered prevention strategies in place.
UPDATE
The White House announced that vaccines will be required for international travelers coming into the United States, with an effective date of November 8, 2021. For purposes of entry into the United States, vaccines accepted will include FDA approved or authorized and WHO Emergency Use Listing vaccines. More information is available here.
UPDATE
Travel requirements to enter the United States are changing, starting November 8, 2021. More information is available here.

Developing Guidance to Protect the Public’s Health

Developing Guidance for Public Health
Search CDC Guidance Documents

CDC offers guidance for businesses, communities, schools, healthcare professionals, laboratories, health departments, workplaces and various industries.

CDC protects the health of communities across the country. Since the early days of the pandemic, epidemiologists at CDC have been using information from the different types of studies we have discussed to develop evidence-based guidance, such as wearing cloth masks to prevent the spread of the virus. These are meant for various audiences, including:

  • healthcare providers and health departments,
  • laboratory scientists,
  • healthcare and long-term care facilities,
  • schools and businesses,
  • first responders,
  • pregnant people and parents,
  • travelers,
  • homeless shelters, and
  • pet owners.

COVID-19 guidance provides information for these various groups on how to slow the spread of the disease and protect their health. Topics include:

Terms to know

Evidence-based: Based on information from data collected using scientific methods.