NEWS! Florida Officials Predict That Mask Mandates May Be in Place Through the Spring

Since we’ve been back in Disney World and Universal Orlando, it’s been an entirely new experience wearing face masks in theme parks.

Molly Back in Disney World!

Guidelines have continually been updated to include a ban on masks with holes or valves and require that guests must be stationary to eat and drink. While wearing a face mask in the parks has surprisingly been simpler than we thought it would be, many people have wondered how long the new safety measure will continue.

The Orlando Sentinel has noted that mask mandates may be required as late as the spring or until a vaccine has been released. Since people have been required to wear masks in Florida’s Orange County and other places, the positivity rates for the virus have started to trend downward.

Universal Face Masks

The Florida Depart of Health in Orange County’s health officer Dr. Raul Pino has stated due in large part to the population adopting the mask policy, the positivity rate has “slowly but surely” gone down. However, the World Health Organization has recommended that there is a 5% positivity rate threshold. At a recent positive testing rate of 9.57%, Orange County still has a way to go (not to mention the 14% rate in Osceola County).

Florida Beaches

While the mask mandate has significantly aided the efforts for reducing case numbers, Florida’s alcohol ban might be revisited as well. Although there have been possible plans in the works to re-open bars, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings and Orlando Mayor Budder Dyer have stated that they believe it’s “too risky” at the moment.

Molly Wearing a Face Mask in Disney Springs

While students will be returning to school this Fall, there could be fluctuation in the upcoming positivity rate. However, Dr. Pino believes that masks will need to be worn by people through the year, regardless.

Florida

As the unprecedented situation continues to shift, we’ll keep you updated on health and safety guidelines in Florida and its theme parks!

This is what it’s like to wear a Disney brand mask in the parks all day!

Have you been back to Florida’s theme parks? Let us know in the comments below!

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Rachel Franko has been going to Disney Parks since she was a baby, and her love of Disney has only grown into a SLIGHT obsession since! She's been writing for AllEars since 2019 and loves sharing the magic with all the readers. When she's not writing, you can catch her heading to Disney and Universal Studios with a heart full of dreams and a backpack full of themed ears!

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One Reply to “NEWS! Florida Officials Predict That Mask Mandates May Be in Place Through the Spring”

  1. I took my daughter and her friend (both 15) to Florida July 10-18th. We felt very safe. We went to Magic Kingdom and Hollywood studios. I felt the parks were clean. Rules were enforced with masks.