When it comes to COVID safety, Walt Disney World has arguably been one of the most careful companies in the country. After closing in March 2020, they reopened that July with multiple safety and cleanliness protocols in place, in the interest of public health and safety.
Of course, some people don’t like all the new rules. Many people have refused to go to Walt Disney World, preferring to wait until the resort is “normal” again. Multiple Disney guests who have gone to the parks have yelled at, cursed out or even fought with Disney workers over some of these safety protocols and this guy even got arrested because of his behavior.
Over time, Disney has made some changes to some of its COVID-related rules and clarified others. Most of the changes are in regards to mask usage:
- About 2 weeks after the parks reopened, Disney clarified that if you were eating or drinking in the parks, and therefore had your mask off, you had to be socially distanced and remain stationary (this was in the response to the people who were holding open bottles of water and walking around all day), and put your mask back on when you were done consuming and were ready to walk around again.
- When the governor of Florida decided to “open” the state last September and have virtually no COVID-related mandates, Disney’s response was exactly what I predicted it would be.
- When COVID vaccines became available in January 2021, Disney made an announcement regarding resort guests who had been vaccinated.
- In March of this year, they updated their rules for mask use at restaurants.
One of WDW’s CEO has hinted when masks may not be required at the resort anymore, but until then, their usage continues.
However, there was some happy news when Disney recently updated their rules for mask use once again. For once, it was a tiny bit of easing restrictions, instead of making them tighter.
From WDW’s website (boldface is mine, for emphasis):
“Please bring your own face coverings and wear them at all times, except when dining or swimming,” the guidelines on the Walt Disney World website state. “You may temporarily remove your face covering while actively eating, drinking or taking an outdoor photo, but you must be stationary and maintain appropriate physical distancing during this time.”
Being able to take your mask off for a photo, even if it’s just outdoors, is pretty huge, y’all. Ever since the park reopened, you’ve had to keep your mask on for all photos (except while eating at restaurants).
Disney didn’t specify why this rule is changing (they never say why LOL), but I’m sure it’s because, over time, scientists have determined the chances of giving COVID to someone who is several feet away while outdoors is pretty minimal.
This new rule goes into effect on April 8th.
Feature Photo: Michael Gray / Wikimedia
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This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary
3 comments
Remember the measles outbreak in disneyland in 2015.. It honestly couldn’t be that corporations want more money.
“Good news”? Happy news? Ah, yes, it’s so good that they care less about health and safety. It’s so happy.
We’re not at the same point in the pandemic as we were 14 months ago. We understand more about the virus now. 44% of Americans age 16+ have gotten at last 1 COVID vaccine and 31% are fully vaccinated. Standing outdoors and socially distances from everyone else, without a mask on, for a few seconds, is no longer considered unsafe.