In the biggest indication that the United States is fast returning to pre-pandemic life, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has said fully vaccinated people are no longer required to wear masks. The recommendation holds true for both indoors and outdoors, the CDC said. Following the announcement on Thursday, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris appeared before reporters at the Rose Garden of the White House without wearing masks.

"I think it`s a great milestone. A great day. It`s been made possible by the extraordinary success we`ve had in vaccinating so many Americans so quickly," Biden said. Referring to the latest CDC guidelines, Biden said fully vaccinated people are at a very, very low risk of contracting Covid-19. `Therefore, if you`ve been fully vaccinated, you no longer need to wear a mask. But if you`ve not been vaccinated, or if you`ve been getting a two-shot vaccine and you`ve only had your first shot but not your second, or you haven`t waited the full two weeks after your second shot, you still need to wear a mask," the President said. He said 250 million vaccine shots have been given in 114 days.