Know Before You Go: Face Masks at Universal

One Universal theme park has recently made a big change to face mask rules. Here’s what you need to know about Universal Studios face masks guidelines before you visit the Park.

Universal Hollywood — Credit: Inside the Magic

After Los Angeles County announced that face masks would be required in all indoor locations beginning Sunday, July 18, Universal Studios Hollywood confirmed that they would be enforcing the rule, as well.

“We continue to follow the guidance of health and government officials to ensure the health and safety of our guests and team members,” said a Universal Studios Hollywood spokesperson. “Starting Sunday, we will require that face coverings be worn within all indoor venues, regardless of vaccination status.”

The Universal Studios website currently displays this updated statement on the front page of the website:

The State of California strongly recommends that when you visit Universal Studios Hollywood you be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, obtain a negative COVID-19 test result prior to visiting, or wear a face covering. Guests who are not fully vaccinated should wear a face covering during their visit. All guests, regardless of vaccination status, are required to wear face coverings indoors. Exposure to COVID-19 is an inherent risk in any public location where people are present; we cannot guarantee you will not be exposed during your visit.

Prior to this update, the use of face coverings was not enforced at the California Universal theme park. Face coverings were not required in any location for vaccinated Guests. Face coverings were recommended for non-vaccinated Guests. However, Universal was not checking vaccination status. Therefore, the theme park was not enforcing the use of face masks, and Guests could decide on their own whether or not to wear one.

Universal Hollywood Mask Sign — Prior Universal Studios Hollywood mask signage. Credit: Inside the Magic

Now, Universal is requiring all Guests, regardless of vaccination status, to wear face masks indoors. This is being enforced in all indoor locations, such as dining locations, shops, indoor queues, and attractions. So, if you are heading to Universal Studios Hollywood anytime soon, even if you are vaccinated for COVID-19, you should bring a face covering.

At this time, Universal Hollywood has not announced when the indoor face mask rule will end, though we suspect it will end when Los Angeles County ends its indoor mask mandate or shortly thereafter. More information about face mask rules and other health and safety regulations in place can be found on the official Universal Studios website.

As a reminder, face masks are not currently required at Universal Orlando in Florida.

Have you been to Universal Studios Hollywood recently or any Universal theme park? What do you think of the health and safety protocols in place? Let us know in the comments!