Current COVID-19 Mask Mandates—and When You Should Still Mask

Are masks coming back? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends wearing a mask to prevent COVID-19, although there are no official mandates. Masks help protect you and others against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID.

You can check the hospital admission level in your county to decide whether you need to wear a mask. The CDC says it's best to wear a mask if the hospital admission level in your area is high, especially if you are at risk for severe illness. It's also essential to wear a mask indoors if you have been exposed to the virus or test positive and must be around others in your home.

There is not always a clear answer, however, as to when you need to wear a mask in specific situations. Read on to learn about COVID mask mandates and when you still need to wear one.

Two people sit on opposite ends of a bench and wear face masks.

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What Are the Current COVID-19 Mask Mandates?

There are no official mask mandates as of January 2024. The CDC, though, advises wearing a mask if you live in an area with a high hospital admission level.

The agency recommends people with a high risk of severe illness wear masks in areas with medium to high hospital admission levels. You might consider wearing a mask if you are caring for or living with someone who might become severely ill.

When Should You Where a Mask?

You may consider masking up before you enter certain places, including a healthcare provider's office and public transportation.

Of note: The CDC advises wearing a mask if you have an active COVID infection, regardless of your vaccination status. You are most contagious during the first five days after you test positive. Continue wearing a mask, however, through day 11 if you must be around others in your home and public places.

Places 

Consider the risk of spreading and getting COVID in your area before you visit public places. The CDC generally advises wearing a mask if you live in an area with a high hospital admission level and are in a crowded indoor area with poor ventilation. It's also essential to practice social distancing and keep six feet away from others if possible.

Here are a few places in which you might consider masking up: 

  • Grocery store: Wearing a mask is typically optional for customers unless local or state guidelines indicate otherwise. Keeping yourself safe by limiting your time in the store can be beneficial, even if you do not wear a mask. Make a list of what you need ahead of time, and be purposeful while you are shopping.
  • Healthcare providers' offices: A non-hospital facility will typically inform you of preventive measures, including wearing a mask during the visit. Call ahead if you have an appointment, especially if you may have COVID. Consider whether the risks outweigh the benefits, particularly if you are caring for or in a high-risk group.
  • Home: The decision to wear a mask in your home—or someone else's—depends on different factors. You may consider wearing a mask, for example, if someone in the house is at risk for severe illness, has an active COVID infection, or has been recently exposed to the virus.
  • Outdoors: COVID is more likely to spread in crowded indoor spaces with poor ventilation than outdoors. You might mask up outdoors if you are in a crowded outdoor area and are not fully vaccinated or near others who may not be vaccinated.
  • Public transportation: It's unnecessary to wear a mask in your car. Consider wearing a mask, in contrast, if you use public transit. Airplanes, buses, light rails, and subways are often crowded, poorly ventilated spaces where SARS-CoV-2 can transmit easily. Wash your hands after coming off of public transportation.

Who's More at Risk?

Anyone can spread and get COVID. Wearing a mask helps protect you and others, especially those who may be at risk for severe illness, such as:

  • Adults older than 65
  • Infants younger than 6 months
  • People with an underlying health condition or weak immune system
  • Pregnant people and those who recently gave birth
  • Those who are unvaccinated

Which Mask Should You Choose?

Wear a high-quality mask or respirator to protect yourself and others from COVID. A high-quality mask is comfortable, fits you properly, and offers the most protection. A mask will fit closely to your face to block out respiratory droplets. Respirators, in contrast, will filter out droplets in the air and contain droplets you breathe out.

There are different types of masks, including:

  • Cloth masks
  • Disposable surgical masks
  • KN95s
  • N95s, which are respirators

Cloth masks are less protective than KN95s and N95s, which are the most protective against COVID. Cover your mouth and nose with the material, regardless of the type you choose. Make sure your mask or respirator fits properly, meaning there are no gaps between the material and your face.

You may consider wearing a disposable surgical mask underneath a cloth mask for added protection. Other ways to increase protection include knotting the ear loops of your mask or choosing one that ties behind your neck and head.

A Quick Review

The CDC advises wearing a mask if you live in an area with a hospital admission level, especially if you are at risk for severe illness. Make sure that you wear a mask if you have an active COVID infection if you must be around others. KN95s and N95s are the most protective against COVID. A disposable surgical mask with a cloth mask on top of it also offers some protection.

The information in this story is accurate as of publication. However, as the situation surrounding COVID-19 continues to evolve, it's possible that some data have changed since publication. While Health is trying to keep our stories as up-to-date as possible, we also encourage readers to stay informed on news and recommendations for their own communities by using the CDC, WHO, and their local public health department as resources.

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8 Sources
Health.com uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Use and care of masks.

  3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Isolation and precautions for people with COVID-19.

  4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Understanding exposure risks.

  5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC streamlines COVID-19 guidance to help the public better protect themselves and understand their risk.

  6. MedlinePlus. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

  7. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Masks during travel.

  8. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Types of masks and respirators.

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