Washington, Mar 3 (IANS): The Pentagon has announced that "masks are no longer required indoors" at the building.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Pentagon said the decision was made per new guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), reports Xinhua news agency.

"Individuals may wear a mask if they choose regardless of Covid-19 community level," the statement added.

The Pentagon also lowered its health protection level in the building to "Bravo," allowing up to 50 per cent occupancy there as well as "more options for seating in the food court".

The CDC last week eased its mask recommendation for most Americans as the country has continued with a decline in new Covid cases and deaths.

The White House outlined a new strategy for the next phase of handling the Covid-19 pandemic on Wednesday.

The 96-page plan focuses on, among other things, protecting against and treating the disease, and preparing for new variants.

"We've reached a new moment in the fight against Covid-19 where severe cases are down to a level not seen since July of last year," President Joe Biden said in his State of the Union address on Tuesday night.

"I can't promise a new variant won't come," he warned. "But I can promise you we'll do everything within our power to be ready if it does."

As of Thursday morning, the US remained the worst-hit country with the world's highest number of cases and deaths at 79,143,710 and 954,512.