Disney World will still require visitors to wear facial coverings even if they are vaccinated from the coronavirus, the theme park said in a safety rules update.
Disney’s policy falls in line with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendation that people should keep covering wearing masks and maintain social distance after they receive the vaccines.
Not enough information is currently available to say if or when CDC will stop recommending that people wear masks and avoid close contact with others to help prevent the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19,” the CDC’s website said. “Experts need to understand more about the protection that COVID-19 vaccines provide in real-world conditions before making that decision.”
Universal also plans to keep mask rules in place, said spokesman Tom Schroder.
“We continue to follow all our enhanced health and safety protocols and will continue to require our guests to wear facial coverings,” Schroder said in a statement.
SeaWorld Orlando did not provide a response when asked about its policy Friday.
Since reopening in July, the Disney World theme parks have required masks and regularly evolved their safety rules whether it was to ban neck gaiters or not allow visitors to eat or drink while standing in certain ride lines. The company has previously said it’s keeping a 35% attendance cap to limit crowds.
In Orange County, the coronavirus remains a health concern.
State health officials are on alert this week after saying they detected the first documented cases of a mutated form of COVID-19 in Orange and Seminole counties, which is believed to be more contagious than other strands of the coronavirus.
“We need to immunize as many people as possible before this virus mutates,” said Dr. Raul Pino, the top state health official in Orange County at a Thursday press conference. “The concern is it could continue to mutate and some of the mutations could bring resistance.”
Disney confirmed in mid-January the company is in talks with the state to use space on Disney World property as a large-scale vaccine distribution site. Neither Disney nor the state has announced details or a definite plan.
At Disneyland in California, that’s already underway. The company is working with officials there to use a parking lot at the shutdown theme park resort for a massive vaccination center that can handle large numbers of people.
Currently in Florida, Publix stores are among the outlets offering vaccines, which has drawn some critics who complain appointments are snatched up with rapid speed.
“Hang in there, there’s going to be more opportunities,” Gov. Ron DeSantis said recently.
