Starting Friday, Los Angeles County is requiring everyone attending "mega events" outdoors to wear a mask, even if they have been vaccinated.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has updated its Order of the Health Officer to add "Outdoor Mega-Events" to the list of locations where masks should be worn by everyone, including fully vaccinated people. Masks can be taken off only while actively eating or drinking, which should be restricted to designated areas.
Outdoor Mega-Events include any gathering of 10,000 people or more, but there's some confusion as to whether that automatically includes theme parks, which do not always welcome 10,000 people a day - and almost never do so all within one space. Both Universal Studios Hollywood and Six Flags Magic Mountain lie within Los Angeles County, so they could be subject to this order. Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm are located in Orange County, so they would not be subject to this change.
Los Angeles County has been requiring mask use while indoors for all since last month. And county regulations "strongly encourage" visitors to mass events, including theme parks, to be vaccinated or have obtained a recent negative Covid test. But local parks have passed the buck on that requirement by repeating it to guests rather than requiring proof of either status.
I have reached out to representatives from both Universal Studios Hollywood and Six Flags Magic Mountain for comment about the new mask requirement. As of initial posting, neither park had updated their website to add an outdoor mask requirement for vaccinated guests.
Update: Six Flags Magic Mountain replied, "There are no changes to our current policy. We are compliant with all LA County mandates requiring masks at all indoor locations regardless of vaccination status."
And a Universal Studios Hollywood spokesperson said, "The health and safety of our guests and Team Members is our top priority as we comply with all L.A. County Health guidelines, which currently requires face coverings worn within all indoor venues regardless of vaccination status."
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