In spite of cases of COVID-19 continuing to rise in Florida, today the Walt Disney World resort stated that face coverings will be optional for guests in all outdoor settings.
In a statement, Disney said, “Since May, face coverings have been optional for Guests in outdoor common areas, and beginning Thursday, August 19, face coverings will also be optional for Guests in outdoor attractions, outdoor queues, and outdoor theaters at Walt Disney World Resort.” This new rule applies to both vaccinated and unvaccinated guests. Previously, guests were only allowed to remove their masks in outdoor common areas and pool decks.
Disney went on to say those face coverings are still required for all guests (ages 2 and up) while indoors and in Disney buses, monorail, and Disney Skyliner, regardless of vaccination status.
Many were surprised that Disney would make this move now considering Florida is now the epicenter for the coronavirus, in particular the highly contagious Delta variant. According to a recent report, if Florida was a country it would be the second worst country in the world in terms of infections.
On social media, some were questioning this decision. Twitter user @parkhopperzach stated, “Cases rising every day sounds like the perfect time to relax mask policies yet again.”
“In terms of the Delta variant, we see strong demand for our parks continuing,” stated Disney CEO Bob Chapek earlier this week. However, according to WDWNT.com, Walt Disney World is seeing a decrease in hotel occupancy at the Walt Disney World Resort.
“According to internal sources, hotel occupancy on Disney property was expected to be at 93% this upcoming weekend,” stated Tom Corless, WDWNT.com. “It is now expected to be at just 65%. Overall, they are seeing occupancy drop about 10% week over week.”
“If you look at the rate of increase, the inflection of increase, the number of cases. You know Florida would be right up there,” stated Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and the Chief Medical Advisor to the President. “If Florida was a country it would be one of the worse countries when it comes to the increase in cases.”
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, Florida reported 21,669 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, bringing the 7-day average to its highest level of the pandemic. “The 7-day average for new cases is 21,789 as of Tuesday, slightly higher than the previous record high of 21,783 set on Aug. 13,” reports David Schutz for the Orlando Sentinel.
