The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has abandoned quarantine and distancing recommendations against COVID-19, the Associated Press reported Tuesday, September 6. In addition, more people have resumed their pre-pandemic activities without wearing masks. However, scientists said the latest Omicron variant gaining ground in the US, BA.4.6, appears to be even more effective at evading the immune system than the currently dominant BA.5. According to health and medical experts quoted by AP, getting vaccinated and boostered is an effective way to protect against the virus, at least from severe illness and death. In addition, "people can also continue to protect themselves by taking other precautions such as wearing masks indoors when levels of COVID are high," the agency said.