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Vaccinated Floridians don’t need to wear masks, state health advisory says

The advisory also expands vaccine eligibility to some non-residents in Florida.
 
People arrive for their vaccination appointments on Monday, March 29, 2021, at Pinellas County’s COVID-19 vaccine site, 1197 E Bay Drive in Largo. Florida Surgeon General Dr. Scott Rivkees announced a new order which opens vaccination sites to administer COVID-19 vaccines to non-Florida residents who provide “goods and services” in the state.
People arrive for their vaccination appointments on Monday, March 29, 2021, at Pinellas County’s COVID-19 vaccine site, 1197 E Bay Drive in Largo. Florida Surgeon General Dr. Scott Rivkees announced a new order which opens vaccination sites to administer COVID-19 vaccines to non-Florida residents who provide “goods and services” in the state. [ DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD ]
Published April 30, 2021|Updated April 30, 2021

Fully vaccinated Floridians no longer need to wear masks in public, according to a new statewide health advisory issued on Thursday.

Florida Surgeon General Dr. Scott Rivkees announced the change in a public health advisory. The order states that vaccinated Floridians, who have received all necessary immunizations, no longer need to avoid social and recreational gatherings except in “limited circumstances.”

The order also said some people who aren’t Florida residents but live in the state are now eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, opening vaccination sites to administer COVID-19 vaccines to non-Florida residents who provide “goods and services” in the state.

The order did not say how the state will ensure non-residents are providing “goods and services” to Floridians ahead of vaccination.

Rivkees wrote that those administering the vaccine in Florida are encouraged to “ensure that no COVID-19 vaccines are wasted,” hinting that other non-residents could receive a vaccine.

The latest advisory rescinds prior ones that required all vaccinations to be limited to permanent residents. It went into effect immediately.

Rivkees, in the last line of the advisory, also recommended all government offices return to in-person operations and services.

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