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What started as a slow trickle of rumor today, ended with Universal Orlando saying masks no longer required outdoors!
New Mask Guidelines at Universal Orlando
After the updated CDC guidelines announced yesterday, everyone waited with bated breath for the Orlando theme parks to adjust their mask mandates. Universal wasted no time updating their face covering rules and eliminated the requirement to wear masks outdoors effective Saturday, May 15, 2021. The Universal app and website updated Friday evening with the new guidelines
Universal eventually issued a statement regarding the change to the mask policy. Please note: Masks will still be required outdoors when in an outdoors queue line.
The health and safety of our guests and team members is always our top priority. Based on guidance from local government and health officials, effective Saturday, May 15, face coverings for guests are no longer mandatory when outdoors at Universal Orlando. Face coverings will remain required at all indoor locations, including restaurants, shops, and indoor hotel public areas. Face coverings are also required at all attractions from the moment guests enter the queue to when they exit the experience. Based on these updates, guests are still expected to bring a face covering with them for their visit.
statement from Universal orland resort
Orange County Ends Outdoor Face Mask Mandate
Just prior to Universal announcing the end of their outdoor face mask policy, Orange County announced that they reached 50% vaccination rate for residents 16 and older. This threshold triggered phase two of their face covering mandate elimination plan.
I would imagine that this announcement influenced Universal Orlando’s timing of it’s own mask policy update.
Of course, now everyone wonders what Disney’s response will be to Universal eliminating the outdoor mask requirement. Disney’s CEO, Bob Chapek announced earlier that he expects changes to come soon.
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Do you want to see the theme parks eliminate all face mask guidelines? Let us know in the comments below.