On Monday, United States President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden are inviting dozens of NCAA athletes from men’s and women’s national championship teams in Divisions I, II, and III to “College Athlete Day,” giving them a chance to celebrate their championships at the White House. But those who aren’t vaccinated will have to wear a mask.
In an email obtained by Fox News regarding logistical details as well as COVID protocols for the event, the White House made it clear that they are still requiring guests who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to wear face masks and practice social distancing.
“Masking Guidance: Fully vaccinated guests are not required to wear a mask on the White House grounds,” the email states [bold font in original email], according to Fox News. “Guests who are not fully vaccinated must wear a mask at all times and maintain at least 6 feet distance from others while on the White House grounds.”
The requirement certainly generated quite a lot of buzz on social media with plenty of people offering their reactions to the news.
In 2020, I took a lot of heat for saying that government agencies and many blue cities would be "masking and distancing" for five years.
We'll see. https://t.co/0LzBwkLKTF
— Wilfred Reilly (@wil_da_beast630) June 10, 2023
This is just totally crazy. Requiring masks and social distancing at all times in June 2023 for college athletes who are unvaccinated. If you got COVID & recovered 4 months ago, you must wear a mask and socially distance. Are these the people you really want running the country? https://t.co/djgC2r1n32
— Ruth Peterson (@RuthAPeterson) June 10, 2023
I think this is a case of forgetting to take down the notice just like many of the stores still have the protocol poster still up that is no longer paid attention to. (Giving the benefit of doubt) https://t.co/ngzuPad71W
— Fishin Salty 🎣 (@fishin_me) June 10, 2023
That doesn’t affect me, I won’t be going to the White House for years 😂
— Benji johnson (@Benjijohnson20) June 10, 2023
White House mandating masks, social distancing for unvaccinated 'College Athlete Day' guests
"Guests who are not fully vaccinated must wear a mask at all times and maintain at least 6 feet distance from others while on the White House grounds"
June 2023https://t.co/Okwomvnty1
— Phil Holloway ✈️ (@PhilHollowayEsq) June 10, 2023
The federal government officially ended the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) on May 11, which had been in effect since January 2020.
[Fox News]