To: Parishes and Missions of the Catholic Diocese of Lexington
From: Diocesan Communications
Mask Guidelines in Light of CDC, Governor’s Announcements
LEXINGTON — In light of Gov. Beshear’s Executive Order of May 13 lifting the mask mandate for persons fully vaccinated against COVID-19, parishes and missions of the diocese should observe the following protocols at Mass, beginning immediately:
Social distancing rules remain in place (six feet apart except for immediate family).
Masks are not required for people who are fully vaccinated, per CDC definition (see below).
Those who attend Mass but are not fully vaccinated must continue to mask, and since the new CDC announcements and governor’s directives make it impossible to enforce mask restriction, all are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated as soon as possible.
Per the CDC, a person is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving the second dose in a two-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson. A person who doesn’t meet these requirements, regardless of age, is not fully vaccinated and should continue taking all precautions until fully vaccinated.
Also, per the CDC: “If you have a condition or are taking medications that weaken your immune system, you may NOT be fully protected even if you are fully vaccinated. Talk to your healthcare provider. Even after vaccination, you may need to continue taking all precautions.”