IF YOU ARE FULLY VACCINATED
CDC has updated its guidance for people who are fully vaccinated. See Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People.
IMPORTANT UPDATE FOR SCHOOLS
CDC recommends schools continue to use the current COVID-19 prevention strategies for the 2020-2021 school year. Learn more
Important update: Healthcare facilities
CDC has updated select ways to operate healthcare systems effectively in response to COVID-19 vaccination. Learn more
UPDATE
Getting vaccinated prevents severe illness, hospitalizations, and death. Unvaccinated people should get vaccinated and continue masking until they are fully vaccinated. With the Delta variant, this is more urgent than ever. CDC has updated guidance for fully vaccinated people based on new evidence on the Delta variant.
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.

Participate in Outdoor and Indoor Activities

Participate in Outdoor and Indoor Activities

If you want to spend time with people who don’t live with you, outdoors is the safer choice! You are less likely to be exposed to COVID-19 during outdoor activities, even without the use of masks.

  • Stay at least 6 feet apart from people who don’t live with you.
  • Limit your time around others.

Remember

  • If you are in an outdoor crowded setting or participating in activities with close contact with others who are not fully vaccinated, wear a mask, particularly in areas with high numbers of cases.
  • Follow local mask mandates.
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Outdoor and Indoor Activities

Activity

Safer - Outdoor Activities

Less Safe - Indoor Activities

People watching movies outside in a yard on left. People watching movies inside a movie theater with limited seating.
  • Outside, at least 6 feet apart
  • If you can’t stay at least 6 feet apart from people who don’t live with you, wear your mask.
  • Inside, at least 6 feet apart
  • Well ventilated room
  • Wearing mask

Activity

Exercise

Girl walking her dog in a park. Boy running in the park.

Safer - Outdoor Activities

  • Outside, at least 6 feet apart
  • If you can’t stay at least 6 feet apart from people who don’t live with you, wear your mask.
  • Run, walk, or bike at your neighborhood park
  • Hike on local trails
  • Take your dog for a walk around the neighborhood
  • Participate in an outdoor yoga class
  • Work in the garden

Less Safe - Indoor Activities

  • Inside, at least 6 feet apart
  • Well ventilated room
  • Wearing mask
  • Exercise at a fitness center
  • Walk around the mall during off hours
  • Attend a class at a yoga studio
  • Swim at your local pool

Activity

Restaurants

Restaurant worker handing food to a woman who is in her car at curbside delivery.

Safer - Outdoor Activities

  • Outside, at least 6 feet apart
  • If you can’t stay at least 6 feet apart from people who don’t live with you, wear your mask.
  • Pick up curbside meals
  • Get food delivered
  • Eat outside at a restaurant where the tables are at least 6 feet apart

Less Safe - Indoor Activities

  • Inside, at least 6 feet apart
  • Well ventilated room
  • Wearing mask
  • Eat inside at a restaurant

Activity

Visiting or hosting people who don’t live with you

Outdoor activities

Safer - Outdoor Activities

  • Outside, at least 6 feet apart
  • If you can’t stay at least 6 feet apart from people who don’t live with you, wear your mask.
  • Have a picnic at a park
  • Play kickball in a friend’s backyard
  • Roast marshmallows by a firepit
  • Have an outdoor barbeque

Less Safe - Indoor Activities

  • Inside, at least 6 feet apart
  • Well ventilated room
  • Wearing mask
  • Watch movies
  • Play games
  • Chat with your friends

Activity

Entertainment

People in cars listening to an outdoor concert.

Safer - Outdoor Activities

  • Outside, at least 6 feet apart
  • If you can’t stay at least 6 feet apart from people who don’t live with you, wear your mask.
  • Go to a drive-in
  • Listen to an outdoor concert from your car
  • Create your own outdoor movie party

Less Safe - Indoor Activities

  • Inside, at least 6 feet apart
  • Well ventilated room
  • Wearing mask
  • Watch a movie at a theater
  • Watch a musical performance
  • Watch a play

Indoor Activities

If you want to make indoor activities safer

  • Pick uncrowded, well ventilated places
  • Stay at least 6 feet apart
  • Wear your mask correctly and consistently
  • Limit the amount of time you spend with others

Why Outside is a Safer Choice

COVID-19 spreads more easily indoors than outdoors. Studies show that people are more likely to be exposed to COVID-19 when they are closer than 6 feet apart from others for longer periods of time.

You are more likely to be exposed to COVID-19 when you

  • Attend crowded, poorly ventilated indoor events
  • Have close contact with infected people at home

You are less likely to be exposed to COVID-19 when you

  • Attend outdoor activities
  • Stay at least 6 feet apart
  • Limit the amount of time spent with people who don’t live with you

Things you can do to be safer