Universal Orlando drops mask mandate for fully vaccinated
As of Feb. 12, vaccinated visitors to Universal Orlando Resort are no longer required to wear face coverings. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
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TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Universal Orlando Resort announced it will no longer require fully vaccinated guests to wear face coverings at indoor or outdoor venues.
The updated policy is said to be based on “local trends and conditions,” according to Universal.
The company’s decision to do this comes as COVID-19 cases have declined across Florida over the past week. As of the Florida Department of Health’s latest weekly COVID-19 report, the state had a positivity rate of 14.5% dropping from last week’s 18%. That puts Florida in the middle of the pack among states, according to data from Johns Hopkins University and Medicine Coronavirus Resource Center.
Previously, guests were required to wear face coverings at all restaurants, shops, indoor hotel public areas, and at all attractions from the moment they entered the queue to when they exited, per the resort’s online safety guidelines.
Proof of vaccination was not required, but guests were asked to complete a health survey before visiting. The survey asked whether a guest was feeling sick or experiencing flu-like symptoms, had a cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, chills or muscle pain among other conditions.
Guests who have not been vaccinated will be “encouraged” to wear masks in indoor spaces, according to Universal’s latest safety guidelines.