Universal Studios Hollywood to lift mask and vaccination rules for visitors Friday

Forward of an anticipated order by county officers easing pandemic well being protocols, Common Studios Hollywood introduced it can not require friends visiting the theme park to put on masks or present proof of vaccinations or a damaging COVID-19 check beginning Friday.

The announcement aligns with an order prone to be introduced Thursday by Los Angeles County Public Well being Director Barbara Ferrer that masks are not required in public locations akin to bars, shops, workplaces, eating places, gyms and film theaters. She can be anticipated to raise vaccine verification necessities at out of doors mega-events within the county — akin to at SoFi and Dodger stadiums, L.A. Memorial Coliseum and the Hollywood Bowl.

The theme park, recognized for its Hollywood backstage tour and Harry Potter-themed land, has required guests to point out proof of being absolutely vaccinated or a damaging COVID-19 check. Contained in the park, masks are at present required for friends who should not absolutely vaccinated. Beginning Friday, these friends can go mask-free, similar to absolutely vaccinated guests.

With COVID-19 instances dropping and well being officers stress-free masking mandates, Disneyland introduced final month that masks had been elective outside and vaccinated guests had been not required to put on face coverings in lots of indoor settings on the Anaheim park. Masks are nonetheless required for unvaccinated friends ages 2 and older in all indoor areas, together with eating places, shops and points of interest. In sure enclosed settings, akin to Disney shuttles, face coverings are required for all guests, no matter vaccination standing.

Common Studios Hollywood, Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park and Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia had been all pressured to shut for greater than a yr as a result of pandemic and reopened final yr below well being protocols which have been amended and revised in response to COVID-19 case numbers and orders from county well being officers.

Regardless of the masks mandates and well being protocols, the parks have moved ahead with a lot of their hottest occasions, together with Common Studios Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights and Disneyland’s Christmas Fantasy Parade.