Masks recommended for unvaccinated, but not required

Gov. John Carney said his latest move to end the mask mandate in most public spaces is a step toward more personal responsibility.

“We’re moving into a different phase now,” he said during his Feb. 8 press conference.

Carney described the phase as an emerging environment that is moving away from government mandates that set compliance to a point when people take personal responsibility for their own healthcare.

 “We expect folks to take that responsibility,” he said.

Although masks are no longer required in indoor spaces such as restaurants, gyms and grocery stores, face coverings are still required in state buildings and healthcare facilities, and on public transit.

And while Carney’s latest revision ends the mask mandate in most places for everyone – vaccinated or not – he said mask wearing for unvaccinated people is recommended, not required.

“We haven’t had a vaccination requirement other than that which has come through federal agencies, and people working in healthcare and other venues,” he said. “But we’ll continue to recommend folks who are not vaccinated to wear masks indoors or when they are in close contact with others.”

Face coverings are still required in schools until March 31, he said, giving local school districts time to work out their own mask requirements.

“Wearing a mask creates issues among children in the learning process, so there’s a balance that needs to be struck there,” he said, echoing concerns many parents have voiced over school mask requirements.

The number of COVID-19 hospitalizations dropped Feb. 8 to 215 with 21 in critical care, numbers comparable with late-November statistics. The most recent positivity rate was 12%.