Walt Disney World is seemingly aiming for a return to normal after a series of moves that relax procedures developed for the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
As Orange County Mayor Jerry Demmings works on a plan to relax mask mandates, Disney has moved in parallel. Earlier this month, guests were allowed to start removing masks while being photographed and removed the signs around the parks asking guests to remain masked during photos.
Disney has also been quietly removing handwashing stations, which were added to promote personal hygiene to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
The space between trash cans is the former site of a handwashing station at the Magic Kingdom, which was removed on March 31st.
It is unclear if this is a sign of changing times as vaccination rates rise or if these stations were removed for other reasons. Obviously, you can always wash your hands in a bathroom.
Another station was removed from Disney Springs on April 9th.
Stay tuned to WDWNT for more updates on COVID-19 procedures at Walt Disney World.
I’m assuming the hand washing stations were removed because the CDC published guidance that said that the risk of transmission from surfaces is extremely low and not because Disney World is relaxing restrictions otherwise.
I hope Disney gets rid of their COVID-19 protocols. Because I want to go back to Disney World. When the Mouse House ends their psycho mask mandate I will go back.
Great! We all look forward to your arrival!
Maybe they’re on their way to California?
It’s kind of a shame Disney is removing the hand washing stations. Regardless of the pandemic, they were a welcome addition. Yeah, I’ll keep my own bottle of hand sanitizer for after being in attractions or stores. But sometimes it’s nice to be able to do a little wash without having to hunt down a restroom.
It’s things like this that just make me shake my head in astonishment. Of all the ridiculous “health & safety” protocols WDW has put in place, the hand-washing stations actually made the most sense, and quite honestly, I was hoping they would stay for the long haul. I could care less about masks (we all know they haven’t been proven to substantially reduce the COVID spread – that’s even admitted by the CDC).
However, I embrace ANY opportunity to wash hands after touching handle bars which are on most of the rides at WDW. Imagine the germs we could ward off by keeping clean hands. The foolishness just continues…
I have not heard or read anything from the CDC that states that masks don’t help spread the Covid virus. I know that in my state every time we’ve loosened the mask requirement the cases rise until we go back to reinforcing mask wearing. I’m with you on the hand washing stations – there are many germs on those safety bars and hand rails, let alone stickiness.
There is a recent study released by Stanford University researchers that found masks do not prevent the spread of Covid-19; in fact, it found mask wearing carries its own health risks. The CDC is not the only sources open minded people should consider. Additionally, Texas repealed its mask mandate over a month ago and cases and deaths continue to decrease. Thus, your conclusion that mask wearing prevents the spread is open to debate.
Why not keep the washing hand stations?Should just have that to fight even every day virus.
Why? Was there a problem with the transmission of “every day virus” (whatever that is) before Covid-19?