ANYONE in the US who has received their Covid-19 vaccination can now gather in small groups with others vaccinated individuals without the need to wear face masks or to maintain social distance.
According to long-awaited guidance from federal health officials, fully vaccinated Americans may now meet up with one another indoors, and may also meet up with people who are considered 'low risk' of severe disease, even if they haven't been vaccinated.
This means that vaccinated grandparents may meet up with their non-vaccinated, but otherwise healthy, grandchildren, in a single household.
The groundbreaking news will come as a massive relief to many who have not met up with or seen their loved ones for over a year.
The guidance is designed to address a growing demand for additional freedoms, following 12 months of on again, off again lockdowns in the US, as has been the case all over the world.
It's also intended to act as encouragement for anyone unsure about taking the vaccine.
"With more and more people vaccinated each day, we are starting to turn a corner," said Dr Rochelle Walensky, of the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
During a press briefing on Monday, Ms Walensky called the guidance a "first step" towards restoring normality in how people come together.
She added that more activities and freedoms could be opened up to those who have been vaccinated once America's death and infections rates drop.
Ireland is reportedly considering offering similar freedoms for its vaccinated citizens as early as next month.
Irish immunologist Luke O'Neill has suggested that those who have received the vaccine should be allowed to: meet up with other vaccinated people; meet up with low-risk non-vaccinated people; and refrain from all quarantine and isolation rules.
