Back in May, both Disney World and Universal Orlando changed their face mask policies to allow all guests to remove their face masks both indoors and outdoors after the CDC updated their recommendation to no longer require fully vaccinated people to wear face masks indoors.
However, recently, there has been a growing concern with an increase in COVID-19 cases related to the Delta variant. States like Florida have been seeing a record number of new cases daily and, in response, there may be a new recommendation from the CDC coming soon.
According to The New York Times, the CDC is expected to recommend that those who are fully vaccinated go back to wearing masks indoors in “certain areas of the country” later today, July 27th.
This will be a change to their announcement in May, where it was recommended that face masks be worn by those who are vaccinated only when in a crowded indoor or outdoor setting.
In making this decision, CDC officials have cited a rising number of “breakthrough infections,” as they are seeing more cases of the Delta variant in those who are fully vaccinated, and surges in states where the vaccination rate is lower. And, though the vaccine has been effective at defending against the “worst outcomes of infection” with the Delta variant, there is still growing concern.
Currently, states with lower vaccination rates include Arkansas, Louisana, Missouri, Nevada, and Florida (where 1 in 5 U.S. COVID-19 Cases are being reported). And, just yesterday Florida’s Orange County Mayor Demings shared that there have been nearly 1,000 new cases in the county daily (which is comparable to the highest peak in cases that they saw in 2020).
As of this morning, Disney and Universal have not commented on the expected CDC recommendations, though we may (or may not) see a change in mask policies following the official announcement. Of course, we’ll keep an eye out for any changes that may come, so be sure to stay tuned to AllEars for the latest!
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When is your next Disney or Universal trip? Let us know in the comments!
We actually just canceled our planned trip because of the rising covid numbers in Florida. We are vaccinated but many are not. I think the idea of waiting in two hour+ lines in some tight, moist spaces, with people that may or may not be vaccinated or could really (since the numbers are so high in FL) have covid, made us postpone our trip. Did I mention that we have been waiting to go back since we were there when the 2019 hurricane ruined our trip? Oh boy! Well we were sad to cancel and really wished we had gone in April when the distance and mask rules were in place.
Anyone that is going–take care!
Yay!!! I can’t understand the ignorance of those unvaccinated. Those of us who are no have to suffer.
Vaccinated New Yorkers visiting third week of August. I am kind of hoping Disney will update their mask requirements. It will make me feel safer and maybe, just MAYBE, curb the crowds and prevent mask haters from attending.