Last Updated: May 20, 2021
The Pennsylvania Medical Society (PAMED) has been receiving a number of questions regarding the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) recently relaxed masking recommendations, and what that means for physician offices.
According to the CDC, fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing. They note exceptions for federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance. They also state these recommendations are not intended for health care settings.
As a result of CDC’s updated guidance, the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) Order Requiring Universal Face Coverings also changed. According to DOH’s mandate, in non-health care settings fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing, unless required by federal law or business/workplace requirements.
Both CDC guidance and the DOH order do not apply to health care settings. The CDC defines health care settings as “places where healthcare is delivered and includes, but is not limited to, acute care facilities, long term acute care facilities, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, nursing homes and assisted living facilities, home healthcare, vehicles where healthcare is delivered (e.g., mobile clinics), and outpatient facilities, such as dialysis centers, physician offices, and others.”
So, what does this mean for physician practices? Nothing changes. Staff and patients are still required to wear masks, regardless of vaccine status. The infection control policies and procedures practices had in place (e.g., staff temperature checks) should continue.