As India cautions people to wear masks even at home behind closed doors, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released new guidelines, saying people who have been fully vaccinated in the country can discontinue wearing masks during many outdoor and indoor activities.

People who have taken second vaccination don't need masks when exercising alone outside, or when gathering outside with both vaccinated and unvaccinated people. As per accounts, nearly 40 percent of adults in the US are now fully vaccinated. "If you are fully vaccinated, you can start doing many things that you had stopped doing because of the pandemic," the CDC said.

In the outdoor activities allowed, "walk, run, or bike outdoors with members of your household; attend a small, outdoor gathering with fully vaccinated family and friends; dine at an outdoor restaurant with friends from multiple households," said the new guidelines released late on Tuesday.

In the indoor activities allowed, the fully vaccinated people can "visit a barber or hair salon; go to an uncrowded, indoor shopping center or museum; ride public transport with limited occupancy; go to an indoor movie theatre; attend a full-capacity worship service; sing in an indoor chorus; eat at an indoor restaurant or bar; participate in an indoor and high-intensity exercise class". But they should keep wearing masks at crowded, outdoor events like a sports game.

CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said in a statement that "people will use this information to take personal responsibility to protect themselves and to protect others".

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