Orange County Under New State of Emergency Due to COVID-19 Rise

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Uncategorized

It seems like each and every day Walt Disney World is making huge strides in returning to some sense of normalcy as they have navigated through phased reopenings after COVID-19 closed their doors in March 2020. Masks are no longer required for vaccinated guests at Walt Disney World with the exception of masks on transportation. Fireworks are back in full force. Disney is increasing capacity regularly; attractions that had limitations are returning; and Disney is preparing for “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” in honor of their 50th Anniversary. More restaurants, more resorts, more attractions, and more Cast Members are returning each and every day! But today makes us a little nervous, as the Orange County Mayor has declared a new state of emergency.

As reported by OrlandoSentinel on July 28: “Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings has declared a new state of emergency as new infections of Covid-19 skyrocket to a single-day high, and wastewater surveillance hints at further increases coming soon. He also said county employees have until Aug. 31 to get their first shot of vaccine protection. He is requiring employees and visitors to wear masks in county facilities and pleaded with private businesses to require employees to wear masks indoors. Demings and other local officials have been seemingly boxed in by actions taken by Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature, both limiting the ability of cities and counties to implement emergency orders. “Because of that, I’m taking the action that I believe is legally defensible today,” he said.”

A vast portion of Walt Disney World resides in Orange County. On July 27, Orange County reported 1,371 new infections which is the most cases in a single day. Not only are infections on the rise, but hospitalizations are creeping closer to record highs of last July.

Disney World to Require Masks While Indoors for ALL Guests

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom

Walt Disney World has announced they will require masks for ALL guests (even those vaccinated) while indoors.

Two young guests stop to take a photo at Magic Kingdom Park, July 11, 2020, at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., on the first day of the theme park’s phased reopening. (Olga Thompson, photographer)

As reported on the Walt Disney World website: “Beginning July 30, face coverings are required for all Guests (ages 2 and up) while indoors and in Disney buses, monorail and Disney Skyliner, regardless of vaccination status. This includes upon entering and throughout all attractions. Face coverings remain optional for all Guests in outdoor common areas.”

CDC Officially Recommends The Fully Vaccinated Resume Wearing Masks Indoors

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Uncategorized

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has officially updated their guidelines to recommend that some people who are fully vaccinated return to wearing masks indoors.

Specifically, those living in areas with “high” or “substantial” levels of COVID-19 transmission should resume wearing masks. All of Florida, as well as both Orange County and LA County, California, are high transmission areas, according to the CDC’s tracker. 46% of counties in the U.S.A. as a whole have high transmission and 17% have substantial transmission.

Vaccinated people who live or frequently interact with at-risk individuals (such as children under 12 and/or the immunocompromised) should also wear masks indoors.

CNN reports that CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walnsky told reporters, “In recent days I have seen new scientific data from recent outbreak investigations showing that that Delta variant behaves uniquely differently from past strains of the virus that cause COVID-19. This new science is worrisome and unfortunately warrants an update to our recommendations.”

COVID-19 cases have been on the rise in the past few weeks and months, especially with the Delta variant spreading. In the past month, the Delta variant has gone from comprising 26% of U.S. COVID-19 cases to 83% of cases.

Neither Disney nor Universal have made announcements regarding updated mask guidelines at their Florida and California parks. Orange County, Florida Mayor Jerry Demings has been urging individuals to mask up and businesses to require masks again as the county reached 1,000 new cases in a day.

United States Will Not Lift International Travel Restrictions

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Uncategorized

Via wdwnt.com

The White House confirmed that the United States will not be lifting any travel restrictions “at this point” due to concerns about the rise of the COVID-19 Delta variant.

“Given where we are today … with the Delta variant, we will maintain existing travel restrictions at this point,” White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said. “Driven by the Delta variant, cases are rising here at home, particularly among those who are unvaccinated and appear likely continue to increase in the weeks ahead.”

Currently, most non-U.S. citizens who have been to the United Kingdom, Ireland, China, India, South Africa, Iran, Brazil, or the 26 Schengen nations in Europe without internal border controls are barred from entering the U.S.

The U.S. Homeland Security Department confirmed last week that the borders with Canada and Mexico will remain closed to nonessential travel until August 21 at least. Canada said it would allow fully vaccinated tourists from the U.S. starting August 9.

COVID-19 cases have been on the rise recently, especially in Orange County, Florida, home of Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort. Currently, 20% of U.S. COVID-19 cases are in Florida.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director Rochelle Walensky reported on Thursday that the seven-day average of new cases in the U.S. was up 53% from the previous week. The Delta variant comprises more than 80% of the country’s cases.

Orange County, Florida Seeing 1,000 New COVID-19 Cases Per Day

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

Via wdwnt.com

Mayor Jerry Demings reported on Orange County, Florida’s current COVID-19 cases in a press conference today, saying, “we are in crisis mode.”

Orange County is seeing almost 1,000 new COVID-19 cases a day, which is about the highest peak the county saw in 2020. Demings is urging residents to get vaccinated. Approximately 61% of Orange County residents aged 12 and older have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine shot.

Mayor Demings has also been urging businesses to require masks indoors again regardless of vaccination status. The county cannot enforce a mask ordinance due to legislature by Governor Ron DeSantis, but private businesses can. Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort have yet to make any changes to their current mask guidelines, which do not require vaccinated guests to wear them.

The 14-day rolling positivity rate in Orange County has more than tripled in the past month, currently sitting just under 14%.