HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Alabama's mask mandate expires nearly a month from now, but the CDC says people fully vaccinated can be around each other without wearing one if they're indoors and in small groups.
According to the Alabama Department of Public Health close to 400,000 people are fully vaccinated.
"That's good, but that's really only about 10 or so percent of the population. So we certainly are not where we can let our guard down at the moment," says ADPH Assistant State Health Officer, Dr. Karen Landers.
The CDC says people who are considered fully vaccinated, were vaccinated two weeks after receiving their second dose from the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine, or were vaccinated two weeks after receiving their single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
"This is going to open up which is great because a lot of people hasn't seen their loved one for a long time - grandparents, and parents and all that," says Huntsville Hospital Infectious Disease Specialist, Dr. Ali Hassoun.
Doctors say even as more people become fully vaccinated, we still have to be extremely cautious especially in public spaces.
"When we go out and public and crowds, and groups - not deviate from our social distancing, respiratory hygiene and good mask use," says Landers.
WZDX News asked if this new guideline would enable people who aren't fully vaccinated to be around each other without masks or disregard social distancing.
"I think a lot of this is going to be how much they understand - they understand the guideline, and how much they follow these...because still have viral activity. There's still community spread. We're not done with this. It's gonna take time," says Hassoun.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a plethora of information on how to protect yourself and other from the coronavirus.
The virus can easily spread from person to person, so the CDC recommends you stay at least 6-feet apart from people not in your household. The virus is spread through respiratory droplets that are produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, breaths or talks, according to the CDC. Because of this, the CDC recommends you wear a cloth facemask when around others and in public.
Additionally, the CDC recommends that you frequently wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Symptoms to look out for include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, a sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting and diarrhea, according to the CDC.
Click here to find more COVID-19 information from the CDC.
If you suspect you have the coronavirus, you should seek out testing and self-quarantine.
Click here to find more COVID-19 information from the Alabama Department of Public Health.