SCDHEC Supports CDC’s Recommendation To Wear Masks When Indoors And Out In Public

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) has adopted the federal agency’s new guideline and advises all South Carolinians to wear masks indoors and in public places.

The CDC is urging public indoor masking for everyone, irrespective of vaccination status, due to an increase in COVID-19 infections and the growing threat of the Delta variant.

Among the new CDC recommendations are:

• In areas with substantial and high transmission, CDC recommends that everyone (including fully vaccinated individuals) wear a mask in public indoor settings to help prevent the spread of Delta and protect others.
• CDC recommends that community leaders encourage vaccination and masking to prevent further outbreaks in areas of substantial and high transmission.
• CDC recommends universal indoor masking for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors to K-12 schools, regardless of vaccination status. Children should return to full-time in-person learning in the fall with layered prevention strategies in place. In accordance with the previous CDC order, students are required to wear masks on school buses.

DHEC advises all South Carolinians to follow the same measures and reminds the public that, despite the changes in guidance, vaccinations are still the most effective method to end this pandemic.

Vaccinations are available at various locations throughout the state for people aged 12 and up. 

For additional information on vaccinations, visit DHEC’s information website, and to schedule a vaccine appointment, you may log on to DHEC’s locator page.