COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina public health officials say fully vaccinated residents in the state can now go without masks in most situations.
After receiving guidance from the CDC, Dr. Edward Simmer, director of the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, released a statement on Friday to say South Carolinians who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 no longer need to wear masks indoors or outdoors with a few exceptions.
Masks will still be required in schools, healthcare facilities, correctional facilities, homeless shelters, and on commercial transportation, health officials say.
Dr. Simmer says those who have not been fully vaccinated should continue to wear masks and to practice socially distancing, including children.
Health officials say the decision to lift mask mandates for fully vaccinated individuals comes as the latest science tells us vaccines are working and the risk of being infected or spreading COVID-19 while fully vaccinated is very low.
South Carolina reports more than 1.4 million residents as fully vaccinated, but officials say they recognize many more still need to get their shots.
Health officials say they will continue to make sure every person has easy access to one of the safe and effective vaccines, as well as reliable information on the vaccines, as they work to vaccinate everyone eligible.
