Six different types of masks laying on a flat surface.
Fully vaccinated people can stop wearing masks in most public spaces. Kilito Chan

Governor Kate Brown announced Thursday that, starting immediately, fully vaccinated Oregonians can stop wearing masks in most public spaces, both inside and outside, in accordance with new US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines.

The exceptions include public transportation, hospitals, correctional facilities, public schools, and long-term care facilities. Shortly after the CDCā€™s announcement earlier today, TriMet shared on social media that it will require riders to wear masks until September 13 at the earliest, in alignment with US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) guidelines.

In a press statement, Brown said that the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) ā€œwill be providing updated guidance for businesses, employers, and othersā€ in the coming days to allow for the option of lifting mask and distancing requirements after verifying customersā€™ vaccination status.

ā€œSome businesses may prefer to simply continue operating under the current guidance for now, rather than worrying about verifying vaccination status, and thatā€™s fine,ā€ Brown said.

Itā€™s unclear how this announcement will impact mask mandates in individual counties and the role businesses play in upholding the mandates. No details were provided on how businesses will be verifying vaccination status, or if businesses will face consequences for not checking customersā€™ vaccination status.

This announcement comes after Brown announced that statewide restrictions will be lifted once 70 percent of Oregonians have received their first shot of the COVID-19 vaccine. Health authorities predict the state will reach that benchmark by the end of June.

Today was also the first day youth age 12 to 15 are eligible to get a vaccine in Oregon, after the OHA approved the Pfizer vaccine for youth late Wednesday.