Orange County to require face masks to be worn in public amid rising COVID-19 cases

Jun 18, 2020 in "The Walt Disney Company"

Posted: Thursday June 18, 2020 5:59pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings has just announced that Orange County will require face masks to be worn while in any public place.

The change in policy comes as COVID-19 cases rise sharply in Florida, which has seen days of consecutively record-breaking numbers of new cases.

The new guidance states that every person working, living, visiting or doing business in Orange County is required to wear a face covering. Business are encouraged to deny entry to anyone not complying.

Exceptions to the new rule include persons under the age of two, those exercising while maintaining social distancing, persons where a mask would cause impairment due to an existing health condition, those working in a profession that has no face-to-face interactions, and employees of first response, healthcare, construction and childcare.

The order comes into effect June 20 2020 at 12:01am and will remain in effect throughout the COVID-19 state of emergency.

Walt Disney World plans to open some of its resort hotels on June 22, and the theme parks on July 11. Disney already requires masks, and therefore copies with the new directive.

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JohnDOct 26, 2020

Yep. I was there all last week. Most of the time, the PA announcement is from the familiar announcer you hear on buses. However, from time to time, I would hear the recording of a British woman making the same announcement. And don't think you won't hear it in Galaxy's Edge or Pandora to preserve theming. Nope. Announcements are park-wide.

wdwmagicOct 26, 2020

Yep these have a bit out for a couple of weeks now. They have definitely had to make it clear that it isn't optional.

Sweet ThingOct 26, 2020

I visited Animal Kingdom yesterday and noticed new signage and announcements stating that guests who do not follow the mask rules will be asked to leave. I did notice more cast members firmly asking guests to stop while eating, make sure their masks were covering their noses, or put their masks back on while taking photos. I spoke to a few cast members and every single one said they just want things to return to normal as quickly as possible and these rules are the only way. I witnessed a couple of cast get ignored by guests when enforcing the rules. Those cast members contacted their supervisors to give descriptions of those guests not complying. I can't remember ever seeing the company take a firm stand like this before.

Giss NericOct 18, 2020

I'm just kidding. It's all lies. I just wanted to switch the topic for a while.

GimpYancIentOct 17, 2020

Ok, so a guy wore a mask with some wording on it. He Wore A Mask properly! No one care's what was written on it.

drizgirlOct 17, 2020

You were about to report someone wearing a mask correctly?

LilofanOct 17, 2020

Easier to fire third party for a poor job.

LilofanOct 17, 2020

If third party crews get hurt on the job, Disney doesn't have to pick up their medical / injury costs. That could run into hundreds of thousands of dollars or even more depending on the severity of the injury.

Giss NericOct 17, 2020

I saw a guy in Magic Kingdom recently with a custom made mask that says "WORN BY FORCE, NOT BY CHOICE." I kinda felt that he was trouble already. I'm was about to report it to a CM but decided to let it go since he's not doing anything wrong anyways. It's just a silent protest. I saw him two times after that while walking in Fantasyland and the other while in the queue at Big Thunder. In all fairness to him, he was wearing the mask and wearing it correctly at both times.