New CDC Guidance Recommends Masks for All Individuals In Certain Areas

As the Covid-19 cases rise, the CDC has released updated guidance related to mask wearing recommendations. Will these adjusted guidelines soon affect the Disney parks and resorts? Here is what we know so far.

Disney Mask Guidelines

When the CDC released their mask guidance for fully vaccinated guests, this opened the door for Disney to be able to allow their guests to forgo masks in most locations.

On June 15th masks became optional indoors and outdoors for all vaccinated guests. Face coverings are still required of all guests on Disney transportation. This includes Disney buses, monorails and Disney Skyliner regardless of vaccination status.

Guests who are not fully vaccinated, (including children under age 12 not yet eligible for a vaccine) are expected to continue wearing face coverings in all indoor locations, and upon entering and throughout all attractions and transportation. 

Orange County New Recommendations 

 Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings gave a press conference a few weeks ago recommending all businesses require masks indoors. It’s hard to believe, but it wasn’t long ago that Orange County moved to Phase 3 due to cases falling below 5%. Now the CDC has designated Orange County as a “high risk” area.

Mayor Demings has stated that the county is in “crisis mode”, with ICU’s filling to capacity and logging 1000 new Covid cases per day.

Due to the Governor of Florida’s Executive Order, Mayor Demings’ hands are tied. He can only make mask suggestions for those working and living in Orange County.

New CDC Guidelines

Something that was inevitable given the state of things at this time has finally happened. The CDC today released new guidelines stating that all people, including those already vaccinated should be masking indoors.

While the majority of severe illnesses and deaths have mostly been hitting the unvaccinated, breakthrough cases are also occuring (though symptoms usually remain mild).

However, recent data has shown that with the new delta variant, vaccinated people can carry the exact same amount of virus as an unvaccinated person and spread it to others, but usually feels less effect from the virus.

Disney is a private company and has the right to require or not require masks as they choose. However, we know from past experience that Disney does listen to the advice of health experts. This new guidance from the top health center in the country might sway their decision.

No news has yet come in about whether Disney will return to indoor mask requirements for their vaccinated guests, but we will be sure to keep you posted.

What do you think of this new recommendation? Let us know on  Facebook or in the comments below.

-Christina