Los Angeles to Require Masks at Large Events, Including Theme Parks

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Amid a increase in COVID-19 cases not only in the U.S. but also in the State of California and Los Angeles County, LA has once again updated its face mask guidance, and once again the update impacts theme parks.

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News just broke that large outdoor events in Los Angeles County will now require face masks for all Guests, regardless of vaccination status, per a new order by LA County Public Health.

Per our past reports, theme parks are considered large outdoor events (or “mega events”) as they attract thousands of people. An outdoor mega event is any event that draws more than 10,000 Guests. Universal Studios Hollywood, for example, has a capacity of over 20,000.

The State of California’s official COVID-19 website also lists the type of events that are considered “mega events” — and theme parks are on that list. So, we expect to see an update from Universal Studios Hollywood regarding face masks sometime this week.

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Credit: Universal

The New York Times reported on the face covering requirements for outdoor events:

Los Angeles County will require face coverings for anyone attending sizable outdoor events — such as concerts, festivals and sports contests — regardless of whether they’ve been vaccinated for COVID-19.

Issued Monday, the new order applies to what the county called “outdoor mega events,” that attract crowds of more than 10,000 people.

In those cases, attendees must “wear face masks at all times, except when actively eating or drinking,” the order states. That’s further defined as “the limited time during which the mask can be removed briefly to eat or drink, after which it must be immediately put back on.”

The mandate goes into effect on Thursday night at 11:59 p.m.

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Credit: Bailee A. Inside the Magic

Universal Studios Hollywood is located in Los Angeles County, so, therefore, this new rule applies to that Park. Universal Studios Hollywood has already been requiring face masks to be worn indoors for all Guests (regardless of vaccination status) since July, when the indoor face mask rule went back into effect in Los Angeles County.

Keep in mind, though, that at this time, Universal Studios Hollywood has not yet updated the face mask policy on the theme park’s official website.

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Bailee A. Inside the Magic

As a reminder, Disneyland Resort in Anaheim is located in Orange County, not Los Angeles County, so this LA County rule does not apply to Disneyland. We will share any updates regarding masks at Disney Parks as they are provided. For now, face masks are required in all indoor locations at Disneyland Resort, which you can read about here.

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