NEW: House Lifts Mask Mandate Just in Time For Biden’s SOTU Address

 

Capitol Physician Brian Monahan on Sunday told lawmakers in a letter that individuals may now choose to wear masks, but it is no longer a requirement.

The House lifted its mask mandate just in time for Joe Biden’s SOTU address.

The Hill reported:

The House is lifting its mask mandate ahead of President Biden’s State of the Union address this week, making mask wearing optional throughout the Capitol complex.

In a letter on Sunday, Capitol Physician Brian Monahan shared the changes with lawmakers returning to Washington this week.

“Individuals may choose to mask at any time, but it is no longer a requirement,” he wrote.

Monahan said positive COVID-19 test rates at the Capitol are down to 2.7 percent in the last two weeks, below the current rate for the DC-Metropolitan area (4.7 percent).

Monahan said other “coronavirus risk reduction measures” would remain in place for the State of The Union address, “with the exception that, KN95 or N95 mask wear is no longer required and mask wear is now an individual choice option.”

The CDC also updated its masking guidance Friday afternoon – just in time for Biden’s SOTU speech.

70% of Americans will be able to take their masks off indoors, including in schools.