Wearing of mask and physical distancing must be continued even by those who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, said AIIMS director Dr Randeep Guleria. He added that the virus is constantly undergoing mutation and the amount of protection extended by the vaccines against the emerging variants is uncertain.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently said that fully vaccinated individuals can shed their masks and can resume activities like before the pandemic. However, government officials and the medical fraternity in India have stated that it may be too early for such an announcement. Dr Guleria said, “……….It is better to wear masks and maintain physical distance because no matter what the variants are, masks and physical distancing will protect.” (ET Healthworld – TNN, May 15, 2021)