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Citing the low positivity rate throughout the county, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings shared that all local COVID-19 mandates will likely be lifted on Saturday, June 5.
Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings opened his third annual state-of-the-county address Friday by announcing the official end to the state of emergency he imposed March 13, 2020, to help fight the spread of coronavirus.
“The heavy clouds of COVID-19 that hung over our region are dissipating and our economy is growing again. By mid-summer, I believe we will be over the acute phase of the virus and our economic engines will be in full throttle,” he said in the speech to a hybrid audience — some online and some at the Orange County Convention Center. “We are back on course for destination greatness!”
By Saturday, Demings said, the Florida Department of Health projections indicate that the county will have reached the benchmark to move into Phase 3 and lift all COVID-19 mandates. The county needed to have a 5-percent or lower 14-day rolling positivity rate.
Mayor Demings highlighted local accomplishments and challenges over the past year, including the increase in attendance at local theme parks.
Theme Park Response to Phase 3 Reopening
Mayor Demings previously reduced social distancing requirements and ended outdoor mask mandates during Phases 1 and 2 of Orange County’s reopening plan. Local theme parks responded by following Orange County guidance by reducing social distancing and making masks outdoors optional.
Local theme parks have not immediately responded to this news. Jones Family Travels expects a response soon from Disney. Universal Orlando and SeaWorld have already made masks indoors optional and eliminated social distancing.
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