As you may know, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has declared that Florida is now in “Phase 3” of the state’s reopening plan after COVID-19 effectively shut down businesses across the state. As part of this new phase, DeSantis is lifting capacity restrictions on all places of business, including theme parks.
While DeSantis is happy to let theme parks swing open their doors and increase their “self-imposed” capacity limitations, Disney isn’t going to be increasing capacity or removing a mask mandate right now. In a statement to Fox 35, Disney said that they will not make any immediate changes and that face coverings are still required:
We received the Governor’s executive order and are evaluating it to determine what it may mean for our business. We are not making any immediate changes. As a reminder, face coverings are still required at Walt Disney World Resort.
Additionally, the Orange County Florida Mayor stated that his mandate that face coverings are required while out and about in the county will remain in effect. The executive order from DeSantis only prevents local governments from shutting down businesses again, not from the type of mask mandate that is in effect in Orange County – the county that the majority of Walt Disney World resides in.
Of course, Disney World is private property, and they are able to implement their own set of rules above and beyond what the state or county might mandate, so the face covering rule is still in effect. Disney World has not been timid on enforcement either, issuing a trespass warning to a guest who refused to wear a mask.
As always, keep checking back with us here at BlogMickey.com as we continue to bring you the latest news, photos, and info from around the Disney Parks!