3
Credit: UniversalBack in late July, Disney announced that it would be requiring all hourly, non-union, non-salaried employees to be vaccinated — which included thousands of Cast Members at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts. Disney is also currently negotiating with unionized Disney employees to try to enact some sort of vaccine mandate with them as well.
It now seems that Disney is not the only theme park focusing on vaccines — Universal Studios is also jumping on the vaccination train, but not in the same way as Disney.
Inside the Magic can confirm that Universal is sending emails to Team Members at both Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood requesting that they report their vaccination status. While Universal is not requiring its Team Members to be vaccinated, it appears that they are going to use vaccination status to help them create new protocols amongst theme park employees. It is possible that Team Members who are vaccinated will have different mask policies than those who are not.
The move to require Team Members to report their vaccination status comes after Universal Studios Hollywood changed its mask policy and as the country has seen a huge uptick in COVID-19 cases. On July 17, Universal Studios Hollywood required all Guests and Team Members to wear masks while indoors.
Universal Orlando does not require Guests to wear masks indoors at this time, but Team Members are required to wear them while indoors and working around theme park Guests.
When it comes to face mask protocols, Universal Orlando’s website currently states the following:
We encourage all our guests to follow CDC guidelines and local directives to wear face coverings while indoors across Universal Orlando Resort. Face coverings are optional while outdoors. We also encourage all guests to keep a safe distance between travel parties, and we remain focused on maintaining the highest cleanliness and sanitization standards.
Universal has not stated how (or if) it will update its Team Member’s mask policy once all Team Members have submitted their vaccination status.
Do you think Universal should ask Team Members their vaccination status? Let us know in the comments!
CLICK HERE to book your Universal Studios vacation with our friends at Academy Travel – an EarMarked Diamond travel agency that can provide you with a free quote today!