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NH won’t issue new mask guidance while Maine set to follow updated CDC guidelines

CONCORD, N.H. — Gov. Chris Sununu said New Hampshire will not be issuing new mask guidance following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendation that even fully vaccinated people wear masks indoors in areas where COVID-19 transmission is substantial or high.

“Everyone in America agrees that the messaging out of Washington is extremely confusing and this latest announcement only reinforces that at this time, the best solution to getting out of this pandemic lies with the individual — not government,” Sununu’s office said in a statement.

Four of New Hampshire’s 10 counties and the City of Nashua are experiencing moderate transmission, while the rest of the state is seeing minimal transmission. That’s according to figures released by the Department of Health and Human Services.

Over 53% of the state has been fully vaccinated in New Hampshire, while Maine has 63% of its population - and nearly 72% of all eligible residents - fully vaccinated.

>>>RELATED: CDC recommends masks indoors for some vaccinated people

In Maine, Governor Janet Millis’ administration announced Wednesday that the state will follow the updated CDC recommendations on indoor face coverings.

Those new guidelines suggest that all people, including those fully vaccinated, wear face coverings in indoor public areas in communities that have high levels of transmission, and that all education personal - teachers, staff and students - in grades K through 12 wear masks, regardless of vaccination status or community transmission level.

“Consistent with Maine’s recent approach to COVID-19-related policy and the expiration of the State of Civil Emergency, these changes are recommendations, not requirements,” the administration emphasized in a release Wednesday.

In Maine, the two counties that have high levels of transmission are York and Piscataquis. Maine’s other 14 counties are in the moderate transmission level.