Read the video transcript here
Joe Biden is clearly in a good mood.
Kamala Harris is also beaming.
Both without a mask.
In the USA, the requirement to wear a mask outdoors and indoors will be lifted with immediate effect for those who have been completely vaccinated.
Joe Biden US President
“When you are fully vaccinated, you no longer need to wear a mask.
Let me repeat: once you've been fully vaccinated, you no longer need to wear a mask.
But if you are not vaccinated, or if you only had the first vaccination but still need a second vaccination, or if you did not wait a full two weeks after your second vaccination, you still need a mask. "
The message behind it: With this measure, the USA wants to accelerate the vaccination campaign further and encourage even more people to vaccinate.
"We're not done yet," said the President.
And welcomed the new guidelines from the CDC health authority.
Joe Biden US President
“I think this is a milestone.
Today is a great day.
This was made possible by the extraordinary success of vaccinating so many Americans so quickly.
Today we gave out 250 million doses of vaccine - in 114 days. "
The news sparked a divided echo among people.
John Scott from Mississippi
“I still think it might be a little early.
I think it's a big step.
So, yeah, I think indoor especially if people had to keep wearing a mask would be the right decision.
So I'm a little divided about what to think of the matter. "
Feliz Caplan from Hollywood
»I think a lot of people will now pretend to be vaccinated.
And don't wear a mask even though they haven't been vaccinated.
«
Terry Marx from Los Angeles
“I think it's great.
It's overdue.
But I still intend to wear a mask if my colleagues ask me to.
I have no problem with it, even though I am vaccinated. "
Jordan Liu from Los Angeles
“I think this is a good move.
So more people will get vaccinated.
But I'm not sure how they really want to get that through. "
In total, more than 117 million of the approximately 330 million US citizens have been fully vaccinated in the United States.
For adults, the rate is a good 45 percent.
And since Thursday it has also been the turn of young people between the ages of 12 and 15.
Biontech / Pfizer's vaccine has been approved for this age group in the United States.
In the restaurant, cinema or fitness studio - vaccinated people no longer need a mask.
The immunologist and advisor to the US government, Anthony Fauci, also takes away all doubts:
Anthony Fauci Immunologist
“When you get into a crowd where people are falling on top of each other, wear a mask.
But otherwise, if you are out vaccinated, throw them away.
You don't have to wear it then. "
President Biden, who himself had received the second dose of vaccine on January 11th, pointed out the still high death rate in the USA. And set the next target to have vaccinated 70 percent of all adults by Independence Day on July 4th.
