Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings’ announced earlier today that masks were no longer required outdoors in the Orange County due to the county reaching a 50% vaccination rate among residents, and just a short while later Universal Orlando Resort confirmed that due to this change in county policy they would no longer be requiring guests to wear masks outside. The policy will go into effect tomorrow, Saturday, May 15th. Universal has already changed its mask guidelines on its website saying in part:
Face coverings are required at all indoor locations and at all attractions (including queues) at Universal Orlando Resort, and are not mandatory when outdoors. This also applies to those who have received a COVID-19 vaccine.
Though three feet social distancing measures will still be in place and face coverings will still be required in all indoor areas and on attractions from the moment the queue begins until the exit of the experience, it looks like guests will now be able to enjoy all outdoor areas mask-free for the foreseeable future.
You can check out the latest health and safety measures in effect at Universal Orlando Resort at their website here. What do you think about this change in policy? Do you think other theme parks in Central Florida (SeaWorld, Walt Disney World, etc.) will follow Universal’s lead and remove mask mandates outdoors?
