Theme parks have undergone so many changes in the past year due to the global health crisis,

As Disney and Universal, among other parks, begin to shift their guidelines moving forward, a big change could be on the way in the future.

The University of Central Florida has conducted research in accordance with the Global Association for the Attractions Industry (IAAPA) about how masks safely reduce social distancing.

The experimental study went into details about how droplets and aerosols are detected with or without a mask. A cough without a face-covering reaches a maximum of 4.5 feet, generating 1.25 times more aerosol and droplets than speech does at a maximum of 4.1 feet. They both had similar content, though, with a face covering as a cloth face mask reduced the maximum detectible distance of droplets to only 2.22 feet. Even more so, a three-layer disposable face covering reduced this aerosol distance to only 0.5 feet.

The researchers conducted a Z-test to verify that, with this data, it can be interpreted that physical distancing can be reduced to 1.97 feet with a cloth covering and 0.51 feet with a 3-layer covering. According to the study, that means that 3 feet of physical distancing wearing a face covering is more effective at reducing exposure to aerosol and droplets than staying 6 feet without a covering.

If the IAAPA considers this when shifting guidelines for theme parks, we could see places like Disney World and Universal Orlando reduce their distancing guidelines to 3 feet apart. Florida officials have already stated that they are working towards adapting mask and distancing requirements. However, there have been no official changes laid out just yet.

We will continue to keep an eye on this situation as it unfolds. In the meantime, stay tuned with AllEars for the latest theme parks news!

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Have you been to a theme park recently? Let us know in the comments below!