Universal Orlando Resort shocked many of us when it announced that they would reopen their gates after nearly three months of closure due to COVID 19 on June 11. It was the first major theme park to reopen and therefore all eyes watched in those initial few days and weeks to see how successful it would be.

It has now been reopened for over a month and still adjustments are being made to health and safety procedures and protocols in order to keep guests and team members as safe as possible at a time when reported COVID-19 cases appear to be still on the increase in Florida.

As a result of this Universal Orlando Resort has announced an update to their Face Covering policy which is in effect immediately. This very much follows in line with Walt Disney World's second mask wearing policy update which was announced at the weekend. 

Updated face covering policy

The new wording for Universal Orlando's Face Covering policy reads like this, an appropriate face covering for a visit to Universal Orlando must fit the following criteria:

• Must cover your nose and mouth and be secured under your chin 
• Must fit snugly against the sides of your face and be secured with ear loops or secured around your head 
• Must be at least two-ply (consist of at least two layers) 

The policy then goes on to specifically outline the face coverings that are NOT PERMITTED at Universal Orlando which include:

• Face coverings with exhalation valves 
• Face coverings that are not secured with ear loops or secured around your head 
• Face coverings that include mesh material or holes of any kind 
• Costume masks or veils, per our costume guidelines

The banning of face coverings with exhalation masks is one of the new updates as well as through the wording essentially the banning of popular bandannas and gaiters tied around the head, unless they consist of at least two layers of fabric.

For guests who come without or don't have one that fits the new criteria, face coverings are available in different sizes to be purchased if guests want to at select locations in CityWalk or at the theme parks.

When can you take your mask off?

It's nothing new to any theme park fan that face masks have to be worn at all times during your visit. 

At Universal Orlando guests can take advantage of the U-Rest areas at select locations around the park where face coverings can be removed and social distancing from other households is required.

It states in the guidelines that guests must wear face coverings at all times, unless they are actively eating or drinking, and they must also be socially distanced from other travel parties while consuming their food or beverage. The change here is the added 'must be socially distanced from other travel parties'. 

Universal Orlando have also highlighted the word "actively" and outlines that inside restaurants,the tables and seating has been arranged so that guests can safely remove their face coverings while enjoying their dining experience. Hopefully these amendments will see guests refraining from eating on the move.

Disney has just added the word "stationary" to their policy as some guests where finding the loop hole and saying to the cast members who were challenging them that they were actively eating or drinking while roaming around the park.

To see full details of Universal Orlando's face covering policy you can see it in the Frequently asked Questions section of their official website.

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