As the situation with COVID-19 continues to change and develop, AllEars will be bringing you the latest relevant news that could affect a theme park visit.
The COVID-19 pandemic is an ever-evolving situation that continues to affect the world.
Recently, we’ve reported on the rise of COVID-19 hospitalizations in Florida as well as the spread of the BA.2 and the BA.2.12.1 subvariants, and we questioned whether a summer surge of COVID-19 could affect Disney World, where face coverings are no longer required for guests. Now the CDC has changed the risk levels for the two counties Disney World resides in, and here’s what you need to know.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention classify community COVID-19 levels into three levels of risk, with designated categories of low, medium, and high risk. While low risk recommends community members stay up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccines and get tested if symptoms arise, a designation of high risk recommends that people wear a mask indoors in public as well as take precautions if at risk for severe illness.
Although the community level was designated as “medium” for Orange County, Florida (one of the counties in which Disney World is located) just a few days ago, today the community level has been upgraded to “high.”
Osceola County, Florida, the other county where Disney World resides, has also been upgraded to “high.” The CDC recommends that people in high risk community locations wear a mask indoors in public, stay up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccines, and take precautions if at high risk.
Disney World does not currently require guests to wear masks anywhere on property, but considering how often they’ve altered their mask policy in the past, it’s possible that they could change it again.
We recently reported several experts predicting that Florida could experience a surge in COVID-19 this summer, along with warnings that this may result in a rise in COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations. This is in line with the pattern observed in the past two summers in 2020 and 2021.
Medical experts have also predicted that because many people have been vaccinated, boosted, or infected by the main omicron strain, infections could be milder than previous COVID-19 waves. The latest wave has been predicted to swell in June, with a possible continuation of the surge in July as well.
Experts recommend stocking up on COVID-19 tests, testing when exhibiting symptoms, and taking precautions, like wearing a mask indoors.
If you want to read more about summer travel and the current status of COVID-19 in Florida and the U.S., visit our links below:
COVID-19, a potential summer surge, and Disney World: What You need to know.
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