After news that the Biden Administration would soon be relaxing outdoor mask requirements, Orange County, Florida Mayor Jerry Demings announced plans today to change the county’s COVID-19 executive order.
The changes come in three phases based on vaccination levels.
In phase 1, effective immediately, the physical distancing requirement is being reduced from six feet to three feet. The CDC has also been considering reducing their physical distancing recommendation and recent studies have found that a three-foot distance is safe when wearing a face mask.
Phase 2 begins when 50% of the population over the age of 16 has received their first dose of the vaccine. At this time, the face covering mandate will be lifted for outdoor settings. Currently, 35.7% of the eligible population are vaccinated.
Phase 3 begins when 70% of the population over the age of 16 has received their first dose of the vaccine and Orange County’s 14-day rolling positivity rate is 5% or lower. At this time, all mandates will be lifted, meaning no masks will be required indoors.
Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort have not yet made announcements regarding changes to their physical distancing and mask requirements, beyond Walt Disney World’s recent change allowing maskless photos outdoors.
There may be hope, currently Orange county FL has 39.52% with at least one covid shot, and 26.65% with two shots. (Florida Covid-19 Tracer)
Lol it will never be lifted then. The demand for vaccine has dropped significantly. There are hundreds of unused appointments and unused vaccines sitting in pharmacies. Even hospitals in the orlando area arent seeing more than 50% compliance among employees.
I really want to hug Doc McStuffins and Vampirina again :’(
Nice to see some real metrics and targets here, but part of me doubts we will reach the 50% or 70% vax rate by the end of this year, if ever. Fauci and the CDC keep offering no real incentive to get vaccinated, so a lot of people are turning an eye to it.