As more people continue to get vaccinated, states are starting to lift mask mandates. However, these rules only apply if the person is fully vaccinated. This does not apply to buses, planes, and other forms of public transportation where masks are still required. While some states are lifting mask mandates, others have never had one to begin with. Georgia and Alaska never had a mask mandate in place since the beginning of the pandemic. Along with the lifting of the mask mandate, indoor capacity caps are also being loosened in some states. 

While this may sound like good news to some, it can be potentially dangerous. Upon getting vaccinated, you are given a card that provides your information and is proof of your vaccination. With masks being lifted for fully vaccinated people, there is a threat of people making fake vaccination cards to enter spaces without a mask. This could be very dangerous to the surrounding people as the person could be carrying COVID-19.

More than 156 million Americans have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. 121 million Americans are fully vaccinated (two doses of Pfizer or Moderna or 1 dose of Johnson & Johnson). In Pennsylvania, gathering limits and indoor event capacity were increased. Indoor event capacity was increased to 50% and outdoor events were increased to 75% capacity. Philadelphia was the only exception to having gathering limits increased. However, on Memorial Day, all COVID restrictions will lift in all of Pennsylvania. This will allow salons, restaurants, bars, and retail to go back to operating at full capacity.

According to the CDC, fully vaccinated people that travel within the United States do not need to be tested before or after travel and self-quarantine is not needed. If you are traveling outside of the United States, testing is not required unless the destination is requiring it. However, documentation of a negative test result or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before boarding an international flight is needed. Self-quarantine is not required upon arriving in the United States. If you have been around someone who has COVID-19, it is not required to stay away from others or get tested unless you have symptoms. If you have been exposed to someone who has COVID-19 and you work or live in a correctional detention or a homeless shelter, you should get tested even if symptoms are not present. Multiple pharmacies are offering appointments for COVID-19 vaccinations such as CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid. Some local locations offering the vaccine are Lancaster Health Center, and Lancaster General Hospital. Children 12 and up are approved for the Pfizer vaccine. Moderna and Johnson & Johnson are only approved for people ages 18 and up. If you are interested in finding out who is providing vaccines in your area, visit https://www.vaccines.gov/search/. Enter your zip code and which vaccine you are looking for and it will show a list of places offering it.