Universal Orlando Mandating That Workers Get Vaccinated Against COVID
ORLANDO (CBSMiami/AP) — Unless they wish to undergo weekly COVID testing, Universal Orlando officials announced Wednesday that theme park workers must get vaccinated against virus.
A majority of workers already are vaccinated. The new policy doesn't affect guests.
Under federal regulations that took effect Monday, companies with 100 or more employees must require workers to be vaccinated or mandate unvaccinated employees to undergo weekly COVID testing. The regulations are being challenged in the U.S. Supreme Court.
Workers at Universal's theme parks must be fully vaccinated by Feb. 9 or be required to take a test every week, Universal officials said in a statement. They said the company initially will provide free, onsite testing.
"The health and safety of our guests and team members has been our ongoing focus during the pandemic," the statement said. "We will also be monitoring legal action involving these regulations by a variety of state and private interests and will adapt accordingly if there are changes."
Last fall, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law a measure prohibiting private businesses from having vaccine mandates unless they allow workers to opt out for medical reasons, religious beliefs, immunity based on a previous infection, regular testing or an agreement to wear protective gear. The federal law trumps Florida's.
(© Copyright 2022 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)