Face Mask Recommendations

Tuesday June 22, 2021

Rapid Public Health Alert: Effective June 22, 2021

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is issuing updated recommendations for face mask use to prevent COVID-19 transmission. There is no longer a statewide requirement to wear a face mask in most settings; however, local health departments, establishments, sports organizers, and school districts may have additional rules that must be followed. Further, the CDC requires that all persons – regardless of vaccination status – wear masks on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States and in U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and stations.

MDHHS recommends that individuals continue to wear face masks in the situations outlined below.

Recommended Face Mask Use in Outdoor Settings

Individuals who are not yet fully vaccinated should wear a face mask when:

• In crowded outdoor settings and events, such as a live performance, parade, or sports event (including youth athletic events if you are not socially distanced).

• Participating in outdoor contact sports.

• In Residential Care Facilities, including nursing homes, adult foster care and homes for the aged.

  • Fully vaccinated healthcare personnel should continue to wear face masks at work, except while dining, socializing together or conducting in-person meetings in break rooms. If unvaccinated healthcare personnel are present, everyone should wear face masks.

  • Fully vaccinated residents should wear face masks during group activities when unvaccinated individuals are present.

• In outdoor congregate settings, including jails, prisons, migrant worker housing, homeless shelters, etc.

  • The settings listed here are higher risk due to data regarding previous outbreaks and transmission in congregate settings.

  • As of now CDC congregate setting guidance remains unchanged. Facilities should continue to follow CDC guidance.

    • Specifically, MDHHS recommends masking to continue for unvaccinated residents of migrant worker housing.

   

All individuals – regardless of vaccination status – should wear a face mask when:

• In outdoor congregate settings where a COVID-19 outbreak is underway (with a new case in the past 14 days), including long-term care facilities (LTCFs), jails, prisons, migrant worker housing, and homeless shelters.

Recommended Face Mask Use in Indoor Settings

All individuals – regardless of vaccination status – should wear a mask when in:

• Classrooms

  • Because many students are not yet fully vaccinated, schools and childcare providers should continue to follow the COVID-19 prevention strategies outlined in the current version of the CDC’s Operational Strategy for K-12 Schools for at least the remainder of the 2020-2021 academic school year and summer school, including masking when indoors.

• Participating in indoor contact sports.

• Residential Care Facilities, including nursing homes, adult foster care and homes for the aged.

  • Fully vaccinated healthcare personnel should continue to wear face masks at work, except while dining, socializing together, or conducting in-person meetingsin break rooms. If unvaccinated healthcare personnel are present, everyone should wear face masks.

  • Fully vaccinated residents should wear face masks during group activities when unvaccinated individuals are present.

• Other indoor congregate settings, including jails, prisons, migrant worker housing, homeless shelters, childcare institutions (CCIs), etc.

  • The settings listed here are higher risk due to data regarding previous outbreaks and transmission in congregate settings.

  • As of now CDC congregate setting guidance remains unchanged. Facilities should continue to follow CDC guidance.

    • Specifically, MDHHS recommends universal masking to continue for residents of migrant worker housing.

• Healthcare Facilities, such as hospitals, ambulatory care settingsand surgical centers.

  • As of now CDC healthcare guidance remains unchanged. Facilities should continue to follow CDC guidance

As the epidemiology of COVID-19 around the country and the state of Michigan evolves, MDHHS will continue to review and update this guidance.