Disney World: masks still required for guests vaccinated against COVID

• Disney World on Friday said guests vaccinated against COVID-19 must always wear a mask.
• Some fans seemed surprised that the Florida resort had to clarify the mask-wearing rule.
• The policy is in line with the CDC, which says masks and distancing are still needed after vaccination.
• Visit the Insider home page for more stories.

The Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, updated its mask policy on Friday to clarify that people who have received the COVID-19 vaccine are still required to wear them, reported Orlando Sentinel.

The Disney World website sets out the updated guidelines as follows: “Face blankets are required for all guests (ages 2 and up) and cast members, including those who have received a COVID vaccine- 19. “

“Please bring your own face covers and wear them at all times, except when dining or swimming,” the website says. “You can remove your face mask while actively eating or drinking, but you must be stationary and maintain an appropriate physical distance.”

Joe Burbank / Orlando Sentinel / Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

The theme park requirement is in line with guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which states that people who have received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, whether from Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna, should always avoid any close contact with others and wear a mask.

The CDC says the vaccine helps protect the patient from COVID-19, but it is not yet clear whether the vaccination will protect people from the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19 to other people.

Read more: What the COVID-19 vaccine could mean for the future of travel

Disney World fans have shared mixed reactions to the park’s updated mask policy

Reacting to the update on Twitter, some Disney World fans seemed surprised that the clarification of wearing the station mask needed to be made in the first place.

—Ash (@_ohsnapitzash_) January 28, 2021

—Nick Miller (@ n1ck_miller) January 28, 2021

But other Disney fans have said they feel the resort made the “right choice” by appearing to make sure its mask-wearing policy is clear.

—Buck9s (@ Buck9s) January 28, 2021

—Randy David Shinn Jr (@rjashinn) January 28, 2021

-Matthew! (@MattDotDisney) January 28, 2021

Disney World has appeared to ease some COVID-19 restrictions since reopening in July 2020

After closing in March 2020, Disney World reopened in mid-July 2020. Some people criticized Disney’s decision to reopen amid the coronavirus pandemic, but hundreds of fans attended the reopening day. from the station, and park visitors wearing masks have continued to visit since then.

GREGG NEWTON / Gregg Newton / AFP via Getty Images

As Insider’s Amanda Krause previously reported, in December 2020, Disney-themed media footage showed some Disney World attractions no longer appeared to space runners in queues or on attractions. The Insider’s Samantha Grindell also reported that Disney World brought back its park hopping feature in January – which infectious disease expert Dr Scott Weisenberg said could put visitors at greater risk of contracting the disease. coronavirus.

Disney World describes its COVID-19 safety precautions on its website and also lists the following disclaimer: “By visiting Walt Disney World Resort, you are voluntarily assuming all risks associated with exposure to COVID-19.

For more information on visiting Walt Disney World right now, visit the park’s “Know Before You Go” page.

Representatives for Walt Disney World Resort did not immediately respond to Insider’s request for comment.

Read more: Disney World is losing its magic and as a longtime fan I’m afraid it will never return