Indoor Mask Wearing Requirements May Change Soon: Here’s Why Dr. Fauci Suggests It’s Time

When and where face masks are required may soon be changing, according to the nation’s top infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci.

Fauci made the comments on Sunday on ABC News’ “This Week”, when asked whether it was time to start relaxing indoor mask requirements.

He told the news outlet, “I think so, and I think you're going to probably be seeing that as we go along, and as more people get vaccinated.”

Fauci pointed to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention releasing a possible update to its face mask guidance as more Americans get vaccinated. As of Monday, more than 114.2 million Americans were fully vaccinated against COVID-19, accounting for 45.8% of the U.S. population.

The news from Fauci comes after the CDC released new guidance in April on wearing face masks outdoors for those who have been vaccinated. In its updated guidance, the CDC said people who are fully vaccinated could go without a mask outdoors when walking, jogging, biking or dining outdoors.

However, the agency has recommended wearing a mask outdoors in crowded settings, where social distancing cannot be observed, or when unvaccinated people are present.

The CDC still advises people that have been vaccinated to wear face masks indoors in public spaces. But Fauci told ABC News, "We do need to start being more liberal, as we get more people vaccinated.”

Also, on Sunday, Fauci told NBC’s “Meet the Press” that people may choose to continue wearing face masks during certain seasons even after the COVID pandemic has ended to combat respiratory illnesses like the flu.

He said on the news program, “We’ve had practically a nonexistent flu season this year merely because people were doing the kinds of public health things that were directed predominantly against COVID-19.”

Fauci added that it is “conceivable” that during seasonal periods of the year, like when the flu is prevalent in the next year or two, people may decide to wear masks to prevent the spread of the flu or catching it.

Fauci also gave his prediction to ABC News on Sunday as to when he believes the U.S. will be back to normal, saying that next Mother’s Day would be probable if enough people get vaccinated against the virus.

He continued by saying, "I hope that next Mother's Day, we're going to see a dramatic difference than what we're seeing right now. I believe that we will be about as close to back to normal as we can."

But Fauci warned, "We've got to make sure that we get the overwhelming proportion of the population vaccinated. When that happens, the virus doesn't really have any place to go. You're not going to see a surge. You're not going to see the kinds of numbers we see now."

President Biden has issued a goal of vaccinating 70% of American adults by July 4.