Your State-by-State Guide to Mask and Vaccine Mandates
Written by Leslie K. Hughes
Some states have eased mask and vaccine mandates, while others are holding strong.
As of April 1, 2022
Different states have opted to lift some or all mask and vaccine mandates as COVID-19 surges slow down (for the time being, at least). This has occurred along with the CDC’s revision of its mask guidance, which changed in late February. The CDC now recommends the wearing of masks indoors only for those areas that are high-risk.
Though individual city and county mandates may vary, below are the state requirements for the use of face masks and vaccinations, as of March, 2022.
Alabama
The state’s mask mandate ended on April 9, 2021. Now, the state Department of Health simply recommends wearing masks in public.
The state has no vaccine requirement.
Alaska
The state does not require the use of masks in public, but it is strongly encouraged.
The state has no vaccine requirement.
Arizona
The state does not require the use of masks in public, except in government buildings and on public transportation.
The state has no vaccine requirement.
Arkansas
The state does not require the use of masks in public, but it is recommended.
The state has no vaccine requirement.
California
The state lifted its indoor mask mandate on March 1 with the exception of health care facilities, long-term care facilities, correctional facilities, and homeless shelters. Now, the Department of Health strongly recommends masks in indoor public settings.
The state requires state employees, healthcare workers, students, and those who attend events with 1,000+ people to be vaccinated.
Colorado
The state does not require the use of masks in public except in residential care facilities and public transportation, but it is recommended to use them whenever in public.
The state requires all state employees to be vaccinated.
Connecticut
The state lifted its indoor mask mandate on February 28, with the exception of healthcare facilities, long-term care facilities, and shelters.
The state requires all state healthcare and long-term care facility employees to be vaccinated.
Delaware
The state lifted its mask mandate on February 11, with the exception of schools, hospitals, longer-term care facilities, and state government buildings.
The state has no vaccine requirement.
D.C.
The state lifted its mask mandate, with the exception of schools, childcare facilities, libraries, healthcare facilities, long-term care facilities, shelters, and government buildings.
The state requires all state healthcare and long-term care facility employees to be vaccinated.
Florida
The state does not require the use of masks in public, but it is recommended.
The state has no vaccine requirement.
Georgia
The state does not require the use of masks in public, but it is recommended.
The state has no vaccine requirement.
Hawaii
The state is set to lift its mask mandate on March 25, but recommends wearing them indoors.
The state has no vaccine requirement.
Idaho
The state does not require the use of masks in public, but it is recommended.
The state has no vaccine requirement.
Illinois
The state lifted its mask mandate on February 28, with the exception of healthcare settings, long-term care facilities, and shelters.
The state requires all state healthcare and long-term care facility employees to be vaccinated.
Indiana
The state lifted its mask mandate on April 6, 2021, with the exception of state hospitals, prisons, and veterans' homes.
The state has no vaccine requirement.
Iowa
The state lifted its mask mandate in February of 2021, but masks are recommended.
The state has no vaccine requirement.
Kansas
The state does not require the use of masks in public, but it is recommended.
The state has no vaccine requirement.
Kentucky
The state does not require the use of masks in public, but it is recommended.
The state has no vaccine requirement.
Louisiana
The state does not require the use of masks in public, but it is recommended.
The state has no vaccine requirement.
Maine
The state lifted its mask mandate in May of 2021, but masks are recommended.
The state requires all state healthcare and long-term care facility employees to be vaccinated.
Maryland
The state lifted its mask mandate on July 1, 2021, but masks are recommended.
The state requires all state healthcare and long-term care facility employees to be vaccinated.
Massachusetts
The state lifted its mask mandate on May 29, 2021, with the exception of healthcare settings, long-term care facilities, emergency shelters, and prisons.
The state requires all state healthcare and long-term care facility employees to be vaccinated.
Michigan
The state lifted its mask mandate on June 22, 2021, with the exception of healthcare settings, long-term care facilities, emergency shelters, and prisons.
The state has no vaccine requirement.
Minnesota
The state lifted its mask mandate on May 14, 2021, with the exception of schools and childcare settings.
The state requires all state agency employees to be vaccinated or receive a negative COVID-19 test at least once a week.
Mississippi
The state lifted its mask mandate in March of 2021, but masks are recommended.
The state has no vaccine requirement.
Missouri
The state does not require the use of masks in public, but it is recommended.
The state has no vaccine requirement.
Montana
The state lifted its mask mandate on February 12, 2021, but masks are recommended.
The state has no vaccine requirement.
Nebraska
The state does not require the use of masks in public, but it is recommended.
The state has no vaccine requirement.
Nevada
The state lifted its mask mandate on February 10, but masks are recommended.
The state requires all state agency employees who work with vulnerable populations in state-operated healthcare facilities or detention facilities to be vaccinated. This also applies to employees who transfer to the Department of Health and Human Services or the Department of Corrections.
New Hampshire
The state lifted its mask mandate on April 16, 2021, but masks are recommended.
The state has no vaccine requirement.
New Jersey
The state lifted its mask mandate on May 28, 2021, but masks are recommended.
The state requires all state healthcare workers, long-term care facility employees, and those who work in high-risk congregate settings to be vaccinated.
New Mexico
The state lifted its mask mandate on February 17, with the exception of healthcare settings, long-term care facilities, and prisons.
The state requires all state healthcare workers, long-term care facility employees, employees of the Office of the Governor, and those who work in high-risk congregate settings to be vaccinated.
New York
The state lifted its mask mandate on February 10, with the exception of healthcare settings, long-term care facilities, prisons, and shelters.
The state requires all healthcare employees to be vaccinated.
North Carolina
The state lifted its mask mandate on May 14, 2021, with the exception of healthcare settings and long-term care facilities.
The state requires all state employees to be vaccinated or undergo weekly testing.
North Dakota
The state lifted its mask mandate on January 18, 2021, but masks are recommended.
The state has no vaccine requirement.
Ohio
The state lifted its mask mandate on June 2, 2021, but masks are recommended.
The state has no vaccine requirement.
Oklahoma
The state does not require the use of masks in public, but it is recommended.
The state has no vaccine requirement.
Oregon
The state lifted its mask mandate on March 11, 2021, with the exception of healthcare settings.
The state requires all healthcare employees and K-12 employees to be vaccinated.
Pennsylvania
The state lifted its mask mandate on March 2, but masks are recommended.
The state requires all state healthcare employees and long-term care facilities to be vaccinated or undergo weekly testing.
Puerto Rico
The state lifted its mask mandate on March 10, with the exception of healthcare settings and long-term care facilities.
The state has no vaccine requirement.
Rhode Island
The state lifted its mask mandate on March 11, with the exception of staff in healthcare settings.
The state requires all licensed healthcare employees and long-term care facilities to be vaccinated.
South Carolina
The state does not require the use of masks in public, but it is recommended.
The state has no vaccine requirement.
South Dakota
The state does not require the use of masks in public, but it is recommended.
The state has no vaccine requirement.
Tennessee
The state does not require the use of masks in public, but it is recommended.
The state has no vaccine requirement.
Texas
The state lifted its mask mandate on March 10, but masks are recommended.
The state has no vaccine requirement.
Utah
The state lifted its mask mandate on April 10, 2021, but masks are recommended.
The state has no vaccine requirement.
Vermont
The state lifted its mask mandate on June 15, 2021, but masks are recommended.
The state requires all state executive employees to be vaccinated or undergo weekly testing.
Virginia
The state lifted its mask mandate on May 28, 2021, but masks are recommended.
The state has no vaccine requirement.
Washington
The state lifted its mask mandate on March 12, with the exception of staff in healthcare settings, long-term care facilities, and prisons.
The state requires all state executive employees, contractors, healthcare workers, educators, and long-term care employees to be vaccinated.
West Virginia
The state lifted its mask mandate on June 20, 2021, but masks are recommended.
The state has no vaccine requirement.
Wisconsin
The state does not require the use of masks in public, but it is recommended.
The state requires all state executive employees to be vaccinated or undergo weekly testing.
Wyoming
The state lifted its mask mandate on March 16, 2021, but masks are recommended.
The state has no vaccine requirement.
