Chicago Mayor Lightfoot recommending coronavirus masks for residents over 2, regardless of vaccinations

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is now recommending anyone above 2 years old wear a coronavirus mask indoors, regardless of whether or not they’ve gotten a vaccine – even as she’s still urging Windy City residents to get their shots.

“Based on our current COVID-19 data, we’re now recommending that everyone over 2 years old, regardless of vaccination status, wear masks in public indoor settings,” her city-run account tweeted Tuesday. “Get vaxxed.”

She’s also asking unvaccinated travelers from almost 20 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to self-quarantine for 10-days  or provide a negative COVID-19 test result within 72 hours of landing in Chicago.

Based on our current COVID-19 data, we’re now recommending that everyone over 2 years old, regardless of vaccination status, wear masks in public indoor settings. Get vaxxed. 😷 https://t.co/w6ydyl8LTk pic.twitter.com/KiQkVptRLJ

— Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot (@chicagosmayor) August 3, 2021

The move follows a major update in guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that prompted a push for renewed mask mandates in several states and cities last week.

The CDC says people should wear masks indoors in communities where the risk of COVID-19 transmission is “substantial” or greater – a threshold Chicago crossed last week when it reached an average of 200 new coronavirus cases a day. – READ MORE