When it comes to COVID-19 and health and safety guidelines, we have seen a lot of changes throughout Florida and Disney World.
Health and Safety Signage
Disney World, which is located in both Orange County and Osceola Counties of Florida, has adjusted their mask policy for vaccinated guests, reduced social distancing, and began increasing capacity. We learned not long ago that COVID-19 cases were slightly increasing in Florida residents, and we have a new update regarding Florida COVID cases.
As we have said before, we love keeping you, our readers, in the loop on important news that could impact your Disney vacations. This is why we do our best to keep you updated with weather updates, Florida news that’s not from Disney, and other non-Disney-specific travel updates.
According to the Orlando Sentinel, COVID-19 cases have increased by 63% in Central Florida as of last week, in large part due to the new highly contagious delta variant. The cases are are mostly affecting Orange County residents between the ages of 15-34.
Disney World Health and Safety Signage
The state of Florida saw 15% of the U.S.’s new COVID-19 cases, which is more than any other state in the nation. Children under 12, for whom there is no current vaccination available, saw a 52% increase in cases. Positive COVID tests have increased above 5% in all local counties of Central Florida.
Health & Safety Signage
The Orlando Sentinel reported that epidemiologist Jason Salemi said that the delta variant, which is now the dominant COVID-19 strain in the U.S., will be increasingly prevalent among the unvaccinated community, especially as more people stop wearing masks and social distancing. Vaccination rates are also decreasing in the state of Florida.
Mask Health and Safety Signage
At least 280 delta variant COVID cases have been detected in the state of Florida, 40 cases of which were in Orange County.
Face masks were made optional for fully vaccinated guests this year.
It was announced that COVID-19 vaccine booster shots might be needed in the future, and now the booster shot approval is to be requested by Pfizer. According to The Hill, Pfizer and BioNTech have announced that they plan to seek authorization from the FDA (the Food and Drug Administration) for a 3rd dose of their COVID-19 vaccine.
COVID-19 vaccination tents at the Disneyland Resort ©Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG
Pfizer and BioNTech indicated that the booster shot could provide an even stronger protection against the virus. It is unclear whether the booster shot is needed, since the decision regarding whether to recommend a third dose will be up to the FDA and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Pay Close Attention to the Current Mask Rules
We will continue to keep you covered on and in the loop on this situation. Stay tuned to DFB for all your breaking news concerning Florida and Disney World.
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It’s over. We’re not scared anymore.
Shane on you for trying to keep the fear going. 280 people out of a population of 21.6 million people and that was your leading headline???
Not surprised.
If you relax the precautions early you suffer the consequences.
You only have to look at what has happened on other continents.
Perhaps anti vaxxers might listen but doubtful.
The vaccine doesn’t stop you getting it but does reduce seriousness, hospitalisation and deaths.
I know you get some grief sometimes about posting these types of articles, but personally I believe the are both relevant and helpful.
You left out the the current position of the FDA is a booster is not needed.
This is not right. There is no increase.
How do they know which variant it is. I’ve tested multiple times and only one of those times did I test positive. Never was told which variant it was. Doctor actually said they don’t know. So this I’d comical to me.
No surprise being that those who refuse not to receive the vaccine for numerous reasons and/or beliefs. Also the fact that some of the unvaccinated still refuse to wear a mask and pretty much lie about being vaccinated so they can get away without wearing one. Of course there are use medical unable, so they can’t get the vaccine even if they want it. The irony is that 99% of the newly infected and dying are those who are unvaccinated.
I respect peoples choices as it is their right to choose. But the Covid-19 virus and all it’s variants will never be contained and controlled if some people choose not to be unvaccinated and refuse to wear mask, and follow social distancing guidelines if they are not vaccinated. If anything we will probably see another surge by the end of the year. Which may lead to more lockdowns and restrictions.
Again, it is a person’s personal choice and it is not mandatory to get the vaccine. Herd immunity may eventually contain the virus, but that will take years. And the only one’s who will most likely get infected, have severe cases, and even die, will be those who are unvaccinated. The choice is your’s.
Does this really surprise anyone? We all knew the unvaccinated population would take advantage of the lack of masks and distancing.
Disney really aught to ask for proof of vaccination before letting anyone in the parks. It is grossly irresponsible when there are so many children who cannot BE vaccinated and we have negligent adults spreading the virus in what is supposed to be a family park.
How many have dies or how many are hospitalized?
This doesn’t concern me at all. While Covid is a serious disease, it’s not the black plague. I’m not going to suddenly panic because of a weaker variant.