In its new guideline, the United States’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has said those who are fully vaccinated against the novel coronavirus, do not need to quarantine even if exposed to a COVID-19 patient, The Hill reported. However, it cautioned them to continue taking the necessary precautions, such as wearing masks and practicing social distancing.

Also read: COVID-19 vaccine will be available to general public in US by April, says Anthony Fauci

“Fully vaccinated persons who meet criteria will no longer be required to quarantine following an exposure to someone with COVID-19,” the CDC said in its new guideline, released on Wednesday.

“Vaccinated persons with an exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 are not required to quarantine if they meet all of the following criteria,” it said.

The criteria includes having being administered both the doses of either of the coronavirus vaccines — Pfizer or Moderna, which have been approved in the US. Those who were given the second dose, not less than two weeks or more than three months, ago, do not need to quarantine.

This is because studies have shown that full immunity isn’t built up until a few weeks after getting the vaccine, The Hill reported. For the need for those to quarantine who were given the second dose three months ago, the CDC cited the lack of data.

However, “vaccinated persons should continue to follow current guidance to protect themselves and others, including wearing a mask, staying at least 6 feet away from others, avoiding crowds, avoiding poorly ventilated spaces, covering coughs and sneezes, washing hands often, following CDC travel guidance, and following any applicable workplace or school guidance, including guidance related to personal protective equipment use or SARS-CoV-2 testing,” the CDC said in its guideline.

Also read: WHO could grant emergency approval to AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine by mid-Feb

The United States is the worst-hit nation by the coronavirus pandemic, having recorded more than 27.3 million cases and 475,291 deaths, as per the Johns Hopkins University’s tally.