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Here’s where & when face masks are required, recommended in Central Florida

ORLANDO, Fla. — As a record number of COVID-19 cases are being reported in Central Florida, local communities and businesses are revisiting their face mask policies to help slow the spread.

Here’s where and when vaccinated and unvaccinated people are required or recommended to wear face masks in Central Florida:

READ: CDC mask recommendations: Is your county a ‘high transmissibility’ area?

Orange County

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings is urging all residents and visitors to wear face masks indoors to slow the spread of COVID-19 after the county reported record-high coronavirus case numbers this week.

He also announced that all Orange County employees will be required to wear face masks inside all county buildings.

READ: Orange County mayor declares local state of emergency, urges all to wear masks indoors

Orange County Courthouse

In light of rising COVID-19 rates and the high transmission rate of the delta variant, the Ninth Circuit Court of Florida said masks will be mandatory in all public areas of its courthouses and court facilities, effective Monday, Aug. 2. Officials said they will have masks on hand if visitor need one when they arrive.

Walt Disney World

Walt Disney World will again require all guests regardless of vaccination status to wear face masks indoors and other locations beginning Friday, the resort announced late Wednesday.

Face coverings will be also required on Disney buses, the monorail and Disney Skyliner, Disney said.

READ: Walt Disney World to require masks indoors regardless of vaccination status beginning Friday

Universal Orlando

Universal Orlando Resort announced Thursday that all of its team members will wear face masks indoor starting Saturday. Officials said they are also encouraging -- not requiring -- guests to wear masks indoors.

SeaWorld Orlando

SeaWorld Orlando updated its mask policy on Friday to match recent recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“The safety of our guests, Ambassadors and animals in our care remains our top priority. Consistent with CDC guidance, we recommend that our guests wear face coverings while indoors.”

READ: SeaWorld Orlando updates COVID-19 policy to include wearing masks while indoors

The theme park had previously said that visitors who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 do not have to wear masks while inside or outdoors.

The change was made citing guidance from the CDC and local officials.

Kennedy Space Center

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex announced Thursday that it is updating its safety guidelines to require all visitors, both vaccinated and unvaccinated, to wear masks indoors.

READ: Kennedy Space Center requiring all guests to wear face masks indoors

Publix

All Publix workers will be required to wear face masks inside Publix stores starting Monday, the grocery chain announced Friday.

Publix officials said the change applies to all Publix associates, both vaccinated and unvaccinated. The company said customers are encouraged but not required to wear masks inside.

READ: Publix announces updated COVID-19 face mask policy: Here’s who it impacts

Volusia County

Volusia County announced that all of its employees will be required to wear face masks indoors when social distancing is not possible inside county buildings starting Thursday.

READ: Volusia County reinstitutes face mask requirement for employees as COVID-19 cases surge


Sarah Wilson

Sarah Wilson, WFTV.com

Sarah Wilson joined WFTV Channel 9 in 2018 as a digital producer after working as an award-winning newspaper reporter for nearly a decade in various communities across Central Florida.