All individuals, regardless of vaccination status, should also wear a mask during isolation and quarantine
periods to stop further community spread of COVID-19.
When to Wear a Mask During the Post-Surge Recovery Phase
Individuals should still practice masking in high-risk
congregate settings, such as long-term care and health
care facilities, jails, correctional facilities, and shelters.
All individuals, regardless of vaccination status, should wear a mask during isolation and quarantine
periods. Learn more about isolation and quarantine periods. This is an important step to protect family,
friends, and neighbors and stop further community spread of COVID-19.
There may be local masking guidance, policies and/or orders from local health departments, organizations,
and/or school districts that must be followed. Policies established by event organizers and businesses may
be instituted to fit the specific needs of their customers and should be followed.
Making Personal Decisions About Mask Use for Those Not In The Above Categories
Masks are an important tool in mitigating spread of COVID-19 and individuals who feel sick, may be at
higher risk of infection, or who feel better protected when masked should choose when they feel
comfortable masking.
Michiganders should consider their individual and family members’ risk factors and vaccination status when
making the personal decision whether to mask. Those with chronic illness or who are immunocompromised
are at higher risk for poor outcomes from COVID and would benefit most from masking in indoor settings.
These risk factors may include age, medical conditions, and vaccination status.
The use of a well-fitting mask provides benefits and protection to both the wearer and to those in close
contact to the wearer. Masks help reduce inhalation of potential virus droplets for the wearer (filtration) as
well as to decrease possibility of transmission of virus to those close by the wearer (source control).
Mask Use During Future Phases
Recommendations regarding masking may change as conditions evolve – such changes could include the
presence of a new variant that increases the risk to the public, or an increased number of cases that strains
the healthcare system. During future times of surge, additional access to testing resources, vaccination
clinics, and therapeutic treatment may be made available as the situation warrants.
MDHHS continues to recommend the use of layered mitigation strategies for Michiganders:
• Get vaccinated against COVID-19. Michiganders should get up to date on their COVID-19 vaccine.
Learn more about vaccines and when you’re up to date at Michigan.gov/COVIDVaccine.
• Therapeutics. After testing positive for COVID-19, individuals who are unvaccinated, high-risk and/or
are immunocompromised should talk to their doctors about whether they meet eligibility criteria for
antibody or antiviral treatment to help with their recovery. Learn more about COVID-19
Therapeutics.
• Isolation and Quarantine. Staying away from others when you are sick or were recently exposed to
COVID-19 are important tools to preventing further spread of the virus. Learn more about what
happens when you have or are exposed to COVID-19