It means you're at less risk of catching COVID-19 than you are in high-risk counties, but anyone can still catch it and spread it. Copyright 2022 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved. An American Airlines employee wears a face mask while working with customers at a ticket counter in the domestic terminal of the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport after Biden's administration announced that it will no longer enforce a U.S. mask mandate on public transportation, following a Florida court ruling, in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. April 19, 2022. The 5-day guidance does not rely on the use of masks as a mitigation technique among the general public, as the use of masks has been shown to be ineffective in preventing transmission. Both companies are no longer requiring people to sit in the back seat but Uber said to give drivers space, we ask that riders only use the front seat if its required because of the size of their group., Left: Ron DeSantis issued an executive order barring local governments and school systems from imposing mask rules. The state guidelines will discourage mask-wearing and promote physicians prescribing off-label medications. The federal mask mandate covering planes, airports, trains andother public transportation is in effect until at least March 18. A mask edict covering students and staff in the states schools was lifted Feb. 28. Ron DeSantis is pledging that he will not shut down businesses in the Sunshine state or impose mask mandates, predicting that the surge of coronavirus cases is a seasonal outbreak R The changes will affect facilities other than those in communities seeing high levels of COVID-19 transmission. Yes, ifyou have tested positive, if you have been exposed to someone who has tested positive, if you are immunocompromised or otherwise at high risk for serious illness, or if you live with someone who is. Dr. Rajiv Bahl, an ER doctor, believes wearing masks in both health care settings, and by people who may be immunocompromised, is not only here to stay but has also risen to a new level of acceptance. For more information about Floridas new COVID guidance, click here. Please dispose of used masks, gloves and other personal items in waste containers. Park visitors may not have access to certain amenities, such as restroom facilities, pavilions, picnic areas and campsites, due to area closures orvisitor safety considerations. Visitors are encouraged to be mindful of personal space, respect local regulations and practices (such as wearing face coverings when needed) and continue to take other measures to protect their health and that of their traveling companions. And until recently, mask policies at schools varied, too. Local journalists work hard to keep you informed about the things you care about, and you can support them by subscribing to yourlocal news organization. Retail customers should endeavor not to handle or try on merchandise. READ:. Park operations vary based on local public health conditions. You should continue to wear a mask where required by laws, rules, regulations, or local guidance to help minimize the spread of COVID-19. Florida officials currently do not have mandates regarding gatherings' group size. Mokdad has been tracking COVID since the beginning of the pandemic. Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran issued a letter Wednesday telling school districts to amend their mask policies for the 2021-22 school year to make masks optional. IE 11 is not supported. Originally founded in December 2006 as an independent grassroots publication dedicated to coverage of health issues in Florida, Health News Florida was acquired by WUSF Public Media in September 2012. Put all of that together and yeah, if youre not at risk and youre not in a big crowd of people that are going to be spreading disease, yeah lighten up. However, faculty and staff in grades preK-5 must mask up, regardless of their vaccination status, according to the most recent Archdiocese mask policy. Smile Center of Orlando serves residents of Winter Park! COVID mask guide:Why N95, KN95 masks are so much more effective than cloth, Can you avoid COVID-19 if a household member has it? However, about 2,000 people a day still are dying of the virus, The Times reported. Associated Press The new guidelines will mean most Americans will no longer be advised to wear masks in indoor public settings. To reinforce tourism-related businesses' coronavirus protective practices, visitors to the island chain are strongly encouraged to be mindful of personal spaces, respect current regulations, wear well-fitting masks/face coverings in public when necessary and continue to take other measures to protect their health and traveling companions as well as Keys residents. Fringe anti-vaccination views met with little pushback. (Orlando Sentinel) Florida Gov. Monroe Countys state health department website. Here is the latest advice. The Associated Press contributed reporting. Hey, Curious305: Can I throw used COVID tests in the trash? COVID-19 testing locations in Monroe County can be found here. The CDC has a new mask guidelines map that shows risk levels by county. EMS Director Dr. Todd Husty agrees with easing back rules. Airports continue to be among the venues where masks are a legal requirement, as are commercial airplanes and federally controlled transportation hubs, including public buses. Doctors say there's good reason for that. "The mask requirement remains in place and we will continue to assess the duration of the requirement in consultation with CDC," Transportation Security Administration spokesperson Robert Langston said in a statement Friday. Individual businesses may request facial coverings or social distancing, and hand washing and sanitizing are always highly recommended. All Rights Reserved. A mask requirement for K-12 students ended on Jan. 17. The theme park says it expects unvaccinated guests will continue to wear masks indoors. The Health and Safety of Keys Residents and Visitors Remain Top Priority. Ron DeSantis, passed new laws sharply curtailing mask and vaccine mandates. Personal Protective Actions While on Vacation. Thats much of the country right now in public indoor settings, Walensky said. Under the revised determinations, about 63% of U.S. counties now are considered low or medium risk of COVID-19, affecting about 70% of all Americans. Return items to store staff for proper replacement on shelves. It can get tricky figuring out what rules apply where, but if you think about where you're going and whether the place is federally, locally, or privately run, you will have your answer. Moving forward, our approach will advise enhanced prevention efforts in communities with a high volume of severe illness and will also focus on protecting our healthcare systems from being overwhelmed, she tweeted. 1996 - 2023 NewsHour Productions LLC. But that doesn't mean Floridians can toss their masks. Read more articles by Chris here and follow him on Twitter at @cabridges. Mask guidance is changing again, South Florida. Malls: Stores and restaurants inside malls are allowed to have their own mask policies. Yes. Masks will continue to prevail in health care facilities like hospitals. It's a good sign. Do not discard them on tables, on the floor or ground, along a roadway or near the shoreline. Many had already begun only requiring unvaccinated individuals to. San Francisco International Airport said it was waiting for further guidance from TSA. Ron DeSantis issued an executive order barring local governments and school systems from imposing mask rules. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Here is what is shifting at the state level: California allowed its universal indoor mask mandate to expire on Feb. 15 and stopped requiring masks in schools on March 11. A new law enacted on Feb. 16 effectively barred mask mandates in schools, by giving parents the right to exempt their children from mask-wearing without stating a reason beginning March 1. Our state will continue to make decisions for Floridians rooted in sound science, not fear, whether they are working or in school.. School districts can still opt to keep their mandates in place. Associated Press. At CityPlace Doral and at malls owned and run by Simon, including Miami International Mall, The Falls, Sawgrass Mills and Dadeland, fully vaccinated shoppers dont need to wear a mask. Located in Central Florida's Winter Haven, just 45 minutes from Orlando and Tampa, the resort includes an interactive, 150-acre theme park with more than 50 rides, shows and attractions inspired by popular LEGO brands and characters, LEGOLAND Water Park and a world-famous botanical garden. It also advises businesses to stop requiring masks for workers, and recommends that adults and children with COVID can shorten quarantines to five days. BRANDON, Fla. (CN) Declaring a new "freedom agenda," Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed four bills into law on Thursday restricting mask and Covid-19 vaccine mandates in an effort to combat federal rules handed down by President Joe Biden. Here's the new CDC mask guidelines map, which shows risk levels by county. Under the new guidelines, the vast majority of Americans will no longer live in areas where indoor masking in public is recommended based on current data. ORLANDO, Fla. As Florida reports a drop in daily coronavirus cases, other states are starting to roll back their COVID-19 restrictions. As always, drivers or riders can decline to accept or cancel any ride they dont wish to take, Lyft said. If theyre immunocompromised or not vaccinated, then they should still wear masks. The new 5-day isolation guidance for COVID-19 issued by the Florida Department of Health is based on science and was informed by access to treatments, the benefits and harms of isolation, and widespread immunity. Florida has always believed in providing all possible treatment options to health care providers and led efforts to make monoclonal antibody treatments available statewide. People who are not vaccinated are encouraged to mask up. Were still not in low transmission rate. Check websites of your hotels and other lodging facilities to learn what current safety measures are in effect, and what amenities are open and available, such as hotel pools. Parents still maintain the right to determine if their child should wear a mask and that remains strictly optional. The Florida Keys 125-mile-long island chain offers wide-open spaces to take advantage of outdoor activities and the natural beauty of sea and sky. The decision, effective immediately, ended an emergency order mandating mask-wearing in schools. The Association of Flight Attendants, the nations largest union of cabin crews, has recently taken a neutral position on masks because its members are divided about the issue. Ron DeSantis wiped out all local COVID-related government . Everyone 2 and older will still have to mask up on Disney transportation, including buses, monorails and the Skyliner due to a federal mask transportation mandate. The Florida Keys tourism industry wants you to enjoy your visit, and to remain healthy and happy during your stay. The Florida law banning school mask mandates applies only to public schools and does not affect private schools. Several governors have moved to ease mask requirements since Jan. 1. But others, including the two main airports in Houston, did away with mask requirements soon after the Transportation Security Administration said it would no longer enforce the mandate. In her Thursday night tweets, Walensky said community infection rates will determine when and where extra precautions such as mask wearing and testing should be targeted. Publix eases mask mandates for vaccinated workers and shoppers. Baptist Health South Florida said the guidelines continuously change and the rules vary, depending on the property. It is recommended to check each park's website in advance, to confirm available amenities. The new framework categorizes counties by low, medium or high risk. Vacationers are encouraged to confirm with their property's management what household supplies such as linens, towels, pillows and beach towels are to be available based on the vacation home's occupancy. and More Florida Theme Parks End Mask Requirement Outdoors. So I think for ourselves, especially if youre at risk or youre unvaccinated, you should probably wear a mask in places where you cant social distance, Husty said. At Sunrises FLA Live Arena, home of the Florida Panthers, masks are recommended, not required. In schools, masking is only recommended in counties with a high risk of infection. Sports venues: FTX Arena, home of the Miami Heat, requires everyone ages 2 and older to wear a mask, regardless of vaccination status. Ron DeSantis' ban on face mask mandates for students last year. Subscribe to Here's the Deal, our politics newsletter. You have the personal responsibility to protect yourself and others in terms of public health. Related: No Masks Or Quarantines Needed At Child Care Facilities: State. the start of the state's 2022-2023 fiscal year. If youre feeling unwell, please stay home, call your physician and get medical advice. Most of the major public charter schools in South Florida recommend masks but are letting parents decide if their children should wear a mask. Licensed vacation rental properties are also thoroughly cleaned and disinfected between rentals, in accordance with these standards. Tourists and shoppers walk down Lincoln Road in Miami Beach on Sunday, July 12, 2020. The updates were also reported by The Washington Post, Politico and other media outlets. With the latest omicron surge fading quickly, they also are now factoring two more metrics to provide a more accurate sense of communityhealth risks. Contactless check-in and payment processes are being utilized when possible. Cases in the U.S. are once again averaging less than 70,000 per day, a figure not seen since last summer when thedelta variant-driven wave swept the South andbegan pounding the North, and before the omicron variantcaused unprecedented levels of COVID nearly everywhere in thecountry. Each county is color-coded: orange for high risk, yellow for medium green for low. Not at all. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. The changes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were revealed to the Associated Press by two people familiar with the matter. This page is no longer being updated. Health experts say the new guidance may bea first step in shiftingthe U.S. to an endemic phase of the pandemic. What to expect at the store By Michelle Marchante. People want to live freely in Florida, without corporate masking creating a two-tier society and without overbearing isolation for children, Gov. For more details, including locations, please go to Monroe Countys state health department website. WEARING FACE MASKSTI S PURVEYORS -- STILL PREVAILS IN HEALTH CARE FACILITIES LIKE HOSPITALS. A new law enacted on Feb. 16 effectively barred mask mandates in schools, by giving parents the right to exempt their children from mask-wearing without stating a reason beginning March 1. With no more federal mask mandate on planes and other forms of public transportation, many are wondering, "Where am I still required to wear a mask?". Most gyms, yoga and dance studios and fitness centers are open and operating at full capacity. Though Californias universal indoor-mask rule has expired, a requirement for masks in schools remains in effect. There is not strong evidence that masks reduce the transmission of respiratory illness. At South Florida Catholic schools run by the Archdiocese of Miami, everyone. At University of Miami Health System, limited visitations are now in effect. This article will be updated as mask policies change. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday updated its guidelines on whether people should wear a mask or not depending on their communitys COVID-19 risk level. The ruling gives airports, mass transit systems, airlines and ride-hailing services the option to keep mask rules or ditch them entirely, resulting in rules that vary by city and mode of transportation. When traveling to the Florida Keys, please plan ahead and come prepared. The changes are intended to better reflect the risks to local communities now that COVID vaccinations are more widespread, with the metrics focused more on hospitalizations and hospital capacity than case counts. At Aventura Mall and Brickell City Centre, for example, masks are recommended, but not required. Charter schools: Mask policies at charter schools are set by the governing board of each school. Retailers: Some stores might have a mask mandate in place. The Brevard County School Board and several others defied executive orders and emergency rules from state agencies to mandate masks in schools this fall but none are challenging the state so far . In most public places in Central Florida, masks are not required. It depends on where you go. The updated guidance language can be found, Governor Ron DeSantis Awards Over $1 Million to Moore Haven for Rural Infrastructure Improvements, Governor Ron DeSantis and Surgeon General Dr. Joe Ladapo Buck CDC with New Official State Guidance, Pushing Back Against Corporate Masking for Employees, Updating Daycare Guidance to Limit Child Isolation to 5 Days, Updating the School Rule to Limit Student Isolation to 5 Days. When patrolling airport spaces after hours, the coronavirus-fighting robot 'R2Key2' emits high-intensity ultraviolet UV-C wavelength light that kills harmful pathogens in the air and on surfaces. You are, of course, still welcome to if you wish depending on your own circumstances and comfort level. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. o You can return to work on day 6 if you are fever-free for 24 hours and your symptoms are improving. Starting on Thursday, New York allowed masks to come off in most indoor settings. At Zoo Miami, everyone 2 and older need to wear masks inside all indoor facilities, regardless of vaccination status. You should continue to wear a mask where required by laws, rules, regulations, or local guidance to help minimize the spread of COVID-19. New York joins a growing list of states to recently drop its mandate, despite no change in guidance from the CDC. STEWART: THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE SAID TUEAYSD IT WILL APPEAL THE FEDERAL JUDGES RULING ON THE TRANSPORTATION MASK MANDATE IF THE CDC DETERMINES THAT THE MANDATE IS NECESSARY FOR PUBLIC HEAH. Image courtesy Florida Department of Health, COVID-19 Visitor Recommendations for the Florida Keys. Experts have ideas why, Whats the COVID risk in South Florida? The federal judge in Florida struck down the CDC's requirement that all travelers wear masks on airplanes, buses, trains and other modes of public transportation. Both Mokdad and Husty caution, each person needs to assess their own risk. People considered to be high risk for severe illness should also speak with a doctor on whether to wear a mask. Florida Department of Health COVID-19 Guidance Recommendations 1) If you test positive for COVID-19 and are symptomatic: o Stay home and away from others for five (5) days from the date your symptoms began. COVID cases alsoare declining inFlorida, with25,523 cases and 888 newly recorded deaths reported last week, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. Individual businesses do have a right to require masks. If youre unsure of a stores rule, look for a sign on the front door. This guidance also reiterates that children attending daycare should never be forced to wear a mask this choice should always be made by the parent. Recreation: Parks, Attractions, Museums, Watersports and Beaches. A decision by a federal judge in Florida tothrow out a national mask mandate for public transportation across the U.S.created a confusing patchwork of rules for passengers as they navigate airports and transit systems. And even if you decide to show your face to the world, some places might tell you to cover up. Full Episode Tuesday . The mandate also applies to Brightline, Tri-Rail, Metrorail, Metromover, buses, taxis, Uber, Lyft and other public transportation options. Additionally, COVID-19 Test Sites in the Florida Keys are open to visitors and residents. READ MORE: Mixed reactions after U.S. travel mask mandate ends. BETWEEN APRIL 14 AND APRIL . What about in mall common areas? This article has Unlimited Access. Currently, there is not a statewide mandate in Florida making the wearing of facial masks required. We are empowering health care practitioners to follow science, not Faucis status quo.. The Florida House of Representatives moved forward on Wednesday with a plan to punish the school districts that defied Gov. Community parks and other outdoor recreational facilities are open in the Florida Keys. Thank you. Ron DeSantis issued an executive order May 3, 2021. that barred local governments and school systems from imposing COVID-19 restrictions, including mask rules. All thirty-nine states (17 states with Republican governors and 22 states with Democratic governors) allowed statewide orders to expire. While this means that our employees are no longer required to wear a mask and no longer have to enforce a mask requirement for most of the flying public they will be able to wear masks if they choose to do so, as the CDC continues to strongly recommend wearing a mask on public transit, United Airlines said. This might vary depending on which event youre attending. Pharmacies: Walgreens and CVS Health, which owns Navarro Discount Pharmacies, CVS y mas and traditional CVS stores, do not require fully vaccinated customers to wear masks. Many had already begun only requiring unvaccinated individuals to wear them. Outdoor dining areas should be prioritized and requested. Fully vaccinated school staff in grades 6-12 dont need to wear a mask. According to the CDC, Florida reported a little more than 523 hospitalizations over a seven-day period through Feb. 22. Performance & security by Cloudflare. Despite a lack of evidence that masks, and particularly cloth face coverings, prevent the transmission of COVID-19, many corporations have continued to require their employees to wear masks at work, regardless of the situation. The ride-sharing companies Lyft and Uber announced on their websites Tuesday that masks will now be optional while riding or driving. Several cities and large counties, including Miami-Dade, Palm Beach and Hillsborough (which includes Tampa), had mask requirements, but Gov. CHRISTINA: TODAY IN COVID-19 HEADLINES, THEED FERAL MASK MANDATE FOR AIRPLANES AND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IS NO LONGER IN PLACE. All other students are required to wear a mask indoors. The CDC isnt ready to let up, yet. also in line with the county's rules. Masks are optional for fully vaccinated guests at Walt Disney World. Guests can expect other protocols such as contactless check-in and check-out procedures, or self-parking options. We need to treat it like the flu and it will become a seasonal virus and you need to take a vaccine for it, but we need to move on with our lives, he said. As of the initial launch Friday, only one Florida county -- Indian River -- is considered low risk. The states mask requirement for schools ended on Feb. 28. It also advises businesses to stop requiring masks for workers, and recommends that adults and children with COVID can shorten quarantines to five days. 1:14. Ron DeSantis in early May . You should continue to wear a mask where required by laws, rules, regulations, or local guidance to help minimize the spread of COVID-19. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. Face masks currently are required in all federal buildings and federal lands. FL Man AKA Sedition Panda Charged In Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol Breach: DOJ, Winter Springs Manager Retires + DeSantis Attacks Orlando Leaders, More Than Just Theme Parks, Orlando Offers History, Nature And Art. "I think we're going to start seeing this moving into the future, especially for people that have underlying co-morbidities, undergoing chemotherapy medications and even have major underlying conditions as well," Bahl said in a statement.As for what The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends, it varies based on its calculations of a community's transmission and risk levels. Attractions: It depends on where you go. At the establishment's discretion, masks or facial coverings may be requested. Florida is making it clear that healthy children in daycare do not need to quarantine; children in daycare who test positive for COVID-19 can return after five days, with no test required. Here's what this all means. As conditions change with new variants, rising or lowering numbers, more clinical tests studiesor better vaccines, the recommended response will change with them. AMANDA: AS FOR WHAT THE CDC RECOMMENDS, IT VARIES BASED ON ITS CALCULATIONS OF A COMMUNITYS TRANSMISSION AND RISK LEVS.EL CURRENTLY THE CDC WEBSITE LISTS ALL CENTRAL FLORIDA COUNTIESS A HAVING A LOW LEVEL OF COVID-19. The state lifted its indoor mask mandate, including for schools, on Feb. 17. The states outdoor mask mandate expired on Feb. 18. Southern Californias five-county Metrolink passenger rail system is also no longer requiring people to wear face coverings. To stay connected with our comprehensive coverage of COVID-19 in Florida,sign up for ourCoronavirus Watch newsletter. The Florida Department of Health is also updating the school isolation rule to reduce isolation to 5 days. Amid a series of legal battles, a Senate Republican on Wednesday filed a proposal that would put into state law a ban on school districts requiring students to wear masks. This may change now that Miami-Dade has ended its mask mandate in county buildings. Alaska Airlines said some passengers who were banned for violating the mask policy will remain banned. But the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which runs the New York areas major airports as well as buses and trains, appeared to have been caught off guard by Mondays ruling. Key West International Airport was among the first airports in the United States to acquire one of the sophisticated units that provides non-chemical disinfection, according to a manufacturers representative. Public beaches in the Florida Keys are open from dawn to dusk with limited amenities. Unvaccinated customers are asked to mask up. The recommendations were released Thursday as DeSantis criticized the CDC and President Joe Biden during a partisan speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Orlando. For people in areas where the risk of COVID is high, the CDC still advises that everyone wear masks in indoor public places. He said things are different now. The change comes as nearly all U.S. states that had put in place indoor mask-wearing mandates for the winter omicron surge are letting them lapse as cases have precipitously dropped nationwide. It's hard to stay on top of it all but Health News Florida can help. Previously, the CDC was focusing on COVID-19 case numbers. Shop Our Favorite February Amazon Deals Before the Sales End, The 14 Best Mineral Sunscreens of 2023, According to Pros, 14 TikTok-Famous Cleaning Products That Actually Work, According to Our Experts, 14 Best Healthier Candy Alternatives of 2023, According to Taste Tests. Hearst Television participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. New York City airports have so far left masks in place, with the exception of Newark Liberty International Airport, which is located across the Hudson River in New Jersey where masks are now optional. What if I Feel Ill While Traveling in the Keys. Florida is supporting parents with children in daycare by updating outdated, unscientific guidelines that hurt working families and keep kids out of school. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) continues to recommend the wearing of facial masks/coverings, even for individuals who have been fully vaccinated, as part of a layered prevention strategy. Extras of these items may not be provided. WATCH: A judge struck down the travel mask mandate.

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