She previously covered all things Florida for the Herald as a Real Time/Breaking News Reporter. Both Mokdad and Husty caution, each person needs to assess their own risk. BETWEEN APRIL 14 AND APRIL . Return items to store staff for proper replacement on shelves. The Florida Keys tourism industry wants you to remain healthy throughout your stay, and return home as healthy or healthier, and hopefully even happier, than when you arrived. Anyone who is not fully vaccinated is asked to keep wearing a mask at all Mass and parish gatherings. and More Florida Theme Parks End Mask Requirement Outdoors. Were still not in low transmission rate. 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. 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. We highlight the stories of Black Floridians seeking emotional healing and wellness. Smile Center of Orlando serves residents of Winter Park! All Rights Reserved. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. 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. At Dave & Busters at Dolphin Mall, masks are recommended but not required for people who are not vaccinated. Park operations vary based on local public health conditions. Florida Gov. A statewide indoor mask indoor mask mandate was lifted on the same day. People who are not vaccinated are encouraged to mask up. 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. The CDC has updated isolation and quarantine recommendations for the public. 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. Health experts say the new guidance may bea first step in shiftingthe U.S. to an endemic phase of the pandemic. If youre feeling unwell, please stay home, call your physician and get medical advice. 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. Despite the governor's order, you'll still need a mask in many places. Passengers on a United Airlines flight from Houston to New York, for instance, could ditch masks at their departing airport and on the plane, but would have to put them back on once they get off their flight in New York. 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. Doctors say there's good reason for that. Thank you. Many had already begun only requiring unvaccinated individuals to wear them. The states outdoor mask mandate expired on Feb. 18. Amtrak also said it was making masks optional. People want to live freely in Florida, without corporate masking creating a two-tier society and without overbearing isolation for children, Gov. The Florida House of Representatives moved forward on Wednesday with a plan to punish the school districts that defied Gov. We still have a pandemic. Learn more about Friends of the NewsHour. And until recently, mask policies at schools varied, too. EMS Director Dr. Todd Husty agrees with easing back rules. According to the state, public health updates in Florida now include: The State of Florida has widespread natural and vaccine-induced immunity, said State Surgeon General Dr. Joseph A. Ladapo. The regional train system serving the Washington, D.C., area said Monday masks will be optional for its customers and employees going forward. The CDC isnt recommending mask-wearing in the first two categories, except among people who have underlying health conditions that put them at high risk for COVID-19. Public beaches in the Florida Keys are open from dawn to dusk with limited amenities. 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. Thats much of the country right now in public indoor settings, Walensky said. March 29, 2022, at 7:59 p.m. Florida, Other States Challenge CDC Transit Mask Rule. The guidance recognizes that there are millions of employees in Florida working in industries from hospitality to manufacturing to banking who for no reason whatsoever have been forced to wear a mask at work. Ron DeSantis issued an executive order May 3, 2021. that barred local governments and school systems from imposing COVID-19 restrictions, including mask rules. Parents still maintain the right to determine if their child should wear a mask and that remains strictly optional. EMS Director Dr. Todd Husty agrees with easing back rules. If youre unsure of a stores rule, look for a sign on the front door. According to the CDC, taking steps to reduce the spread of infection, including getting a COVID-19 vaccine, are the best way to slow the emergence of new variants. Most gyms, yoga and dance studios and fitness centers are open and operating at full capacity. 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. Transportation: At Miami International Airport and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, masks are still required inside the airport and on planes due to a federal mandate. If theyre immunocompromised or not vaccinated, then they should still wear masks. Many had already begun only requiring unvaccinated individuals to wear them. At South Florida airports, masks were still required inside the airport and on planes due to a federal mandate. At Everglades National Park, visitor centers remain closed, although camping is allowed. For people in areas where the risk of COVID is high, the CDC still advises that everyone wear masks in indoor public places. This may change now that Miami-Dade has ended its mask mandate in county buildings. Ron DeSantis issued an executive order barring local governments and school systems from imposing mask rules. However, spectators are still required to wear a face covering at school athletic events in Miami-Dade County public schools. Subscribe to Heres the Deal, our politics "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. Copyright 2023 ClickOrlando.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. But in Florida, as of Friday, only 25 of our67 counties are in the low or medium categories, representing just 44% of all Floridians. An. Entrance fees do apply. Ron DeSantis in November prohibits schools from mandating masks for students. You have the personal responsibility to protect yourself and others in terms of public health. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to the virus. Pedro R. Pierluisi, the governor of Puerto Rico, announced that starting on March 10, masks would no longer be required in most outdoor or indoor venues, including schools. The Florida Keys tourism industry wants you to enjoy your visit, and to remain healthy and happy during your stay. Publix eases mask mandates for vaccinated workers and shoppers. Alaska Airlines said some passengers who were banned for violating the mask policy will remain banned. Four people, including a juvenile, were found dead in a Brevard County home, according to sheriffs office. The bottom line: About. 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. Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. The CDC isnt ready to let up, yet. The federal mask mandate covering planes, airports, trains andother public transportation is in effect until at least March 18. Waiting areas may be limited to manage spacing, depending upon the eaterys size, so waiting outdoors is preferable when possible. Several states are moving to eliminate mask mandates as the number of reported coronavirus cases dips to its lowest level since December, when the highly contagious Omicron variant touched off a wave of cases. Ron DeSantis said. This story was originally published February 16, 2022, 6:36 AM. Tourists and shoppers walk down Lincoln Road in Miami Beach on Sunday, July 12, 2020. Concerts: Every event is different, so youll want to check the policy before buying your ticket. Photo by Alyssa Pointer/REUTERS. 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. They look for: New COVID-19 admissions and the percent of staffed inpatient beds occupied represent the current potential for strain on the health system. Performance & security by Cloudflare. LEGOLAND Florida Resort is a multi-day vacation destination built for kids 2-12. Recreation: Parks, Attractions, Museums, Watersports and Beaches. ORLANDO, Fla. As Florida reports a drop in daily coronavirus cases, other states are starting to roll back their COVID-19 restrictions. At Zoo Miami, everyone 2 and older need to wear masks inside all indoor facilities, regardless of vaccination status. Ron DeSantis and Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo on Thursday announced new COVID-19 guidance for the state that discourages mask-wearing and promotes physicians prescribing off . relaxing indoor mask recommendations for most of the U.S, they also are now factoring two more metrics to provide a more accurate sense of communityhealth risks, Why N95, KN95 masks are so much more effective than cloth, only one Florida county -- Indian River -- is considered low risk, The federal mask mandate covering planes, airports, trains andother public transportation is in effect until at least March 18, a first step in shiftingthe U.S. to an endemic phase of the pandemic, COVID cases alsoare declining inFlorida, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy, New COVID-19 admissions per 100,000 population in the past 7 days, The percent of staffed inpatient beds occupied by COVID-19 patients, Total new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population in the past 7 days. Florida Gov. So have hospitals. The Associated Press contributed reporting. Share Tweet Pin . This guidance recognizes that the CDCs guidance is vastly out of date and has forced Floridians to miss work and school even when it is safe to return. Coverage of the coronavirus pandemic on Health News Florida. newsletter for analysis you wont find anywhereelse. 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. In New York, Metropolitan Transportation Authority communications director Tim Minton said the system was keeping masks mandatory on the subway, buses and commuter rail lines, as they have been since early in the pandemic. Public beaches are open in the Florida Keys from sunrise to dusk. Masks are optional for fully vaccinated guests at Walt Disney World. Updated on November 11, 2022. . 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. (Orlando Sentinel) Florida Gov. The latest data comes the same day Gov. 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?". Do not discard them on tables, on the floor or ground, along a roadway or near the shoreline. Not at all. A state law signed by Florida Gov. The state lifted its statewide mask mandate on Feb. 10. Florida never had a mask mandate, but other states did and theyre rolling back their restrictions. The bottom line: About 70 percent of Americans will be able to shed their masks while indoors. There are a few exceptions, though, addressed below. AND NOW THE CHOICE IS UP TO YOU IN MOST PLACES TO DECIDE IF YOU WANT TO MASK UP OR NOT. What about hazardous waste? Lodging staff are paying special attention to the disinfecting standards for visitor accommodations. The decision, effective immediately, ended an emergency order mandating mask-wearing in schools. COVID cases alsoare declining inFlorida, with25,523 cases and 888 newly recorded deaths reported last week, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. Data on new cases acts as an early warning indicator of potential increases in health system strain in the event of a COVID-19 surge. The federal government said Monday passengers traveling on airplanes and other forms of public transportation won't be required to wear a face mask for now after a federal judge in Florida . The ride-sharing companies Lyft and Uber announced on their websites Tuesday that masks will now be optional while riding or driving. CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky tweeted Thursday that the agency is shifting its focus to concentrate on preventing the spread of COVID-19 to minimize the strain on the health care system. Dr. Ali Mokdad with the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington said now is the time to roll back restrictions. WLRN 91.3 FM | By Jim Saunders / News Service of Florida. The updates were also reported by The Washington Post, Politico and other media outlets. (Find all state-level policies and guidance on masks here.). 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. Both . San Francisco International Airport said it was waiting for further guidance from TSA. Employees are still required to mask up indoors. For more coverage, sign up for our daily coronavirus newsletter. A decision by a federal judge in Florida to throw out a national mask mandate in public transportation across the U.S. has created a patchwork of rules that vary by location. Where am I still required to wear a mask? Both Key West International Airport and Florida Keys Marathon International Airport are operating normally. Ned Lamont lifted Connecticut's face-covering order Feb. 28, 2022. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a1348b18ce4da2a Licensed vacation rental properties are also thoroughly cleaned and disinfected between rentals, in accordance with these standards. United, Southwest, American, Alaska, Delta and JetBlue announced that effective immediately, masks would no longer be required on domestic flights. Daily U.S. COVID-19 infection rates are down to about 82,000 cases nationwide, according to a database kept by The New York Times, and hospitalizations are down about 44 percent. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention adjusted its COVID-19 guidelines on Friday when it announced that some nursing homes and hospitals no longer need to wear masks. What to expect at the store By Michelle Marchante. The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. The CDC changes come a day after Republican Florida Gov. "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. Hey, Curious305: Can I throw used COVID tests in the trash? Our responsibility is to keep you informed, and to help discern whats important for your family as you make what could be life-saving decisions. Monroe Countys state health department website. [TRENDING: When will I-4 express lanes open? 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. Yes. Extras of these items may not be provided. A NEW POLL FINDS MAJORITY OF AMERICANS STILL WANT TRAVELERS TO WEAR MASK. INDIVIDUAL BUSINESSES DO HAVA RIGHT TO REQUIRE MASKS, AND MANY HAD ALREADY BEGUN REQUIRING ONLY UNVACCINATED INDIVIDUALS WEA THEM. Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation. As always, drivers or riders can decline to accept or cancel any ride they dont wish to take, Lyft said. We have treatments now, we have lots of people with immunity and omicron is weaker as far as the amount of disease it causes. 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. Google Florida Keys doctors on your smartphone, call the front desk of your lodging property or contact a hospital emergency room at Mariners Hospital in the Upper Keys (305-434-3600), Fishermens Community Hospital in the Middle Keys (305-743-5533) or Lower Keys Medical Center (305-294-5531). Your IP: State parks are open for daytime use and camping. The change comes as COVID cases and hospitalizations decline and more places across the country have loosened or dropped their mask mandates The Florida Department of Health also recently issued new guidance recommending, among other things, that businesses should not require employees to mask up. According to the CDC, Florida reported a little more than 523 hospitalizations over a seven-day period through Feb. 22. Ron DeSantis in early May . 1:14. Heed markings and signage that an establishment such as a retail store, grocery store or pharmacy displays for customers within the premises to help with personal protection. 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. What about in mall common areas? "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. See for yourself with this map, DeSantis surgeon general and health department draw fire for amplifying vaccine doubts, What to do if your COVID test expires or if you test positive? 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