To ensure we are equipping our readers with all the information they need, we will continue to report on all travel, safety, and COVID-related news that could impact a Disney Parks visit.
The global pandemic has majorly affected the travel industry over the past couple years.
Flying looks different than it did a few years ago
Traveling looks different now with mask requirements in place, and for a while, international travelers were not allowed to visit the United States. Now, some travel restrictions have been lifted, but the airline industry is still experiencing the impacts of the pandemic, having to cancel thousands of flights recently. Now, the nation’s top infectious disease expert and White House Chief Medical Advisor, Dr. Anthony Fauci, has spoken out about potentially imposing a vaccine mandate for air travel.
Dr. Anthony Fauci said in an interview this week that vaccine requirements are something that should be seriously considered for domestic flights, according to CNBC.
©Orlando International Airport
But, after the interview, Dr. Fauci said he doesn’t think a vaccine mandate will be imposed any time soon.
Right now, there is no indication that a vaccine mandate for domestic flights is happening in the United States. According to CNBC, when The White House was asked about the possibility, they referred to President Joe Biden’s previous statements which said “It’s been considered, but the recommendation I’ve gotten, it’s not necessary.”
Orlando International Airport
Back in September when Dr. Fauci made a similar statement, the travel industry expressed that it was opposed to a vaccine mandate for domestic travel, according to CNBC.
Orlando Airport
Dr. Fauci told CNN, “When I was asked that question, I gave an honest answer. It’s on the table, and we consider it. But that doesn’t mean it’s going to happen. I doubt if we’re going to see something like that in the reasonably foreseeable future.”
On the Airplane
Right now, there is still a mask mandate on planes in the United States, which has been extended through March of 2022. In addition to the masks, international travelers coming to the United States have to show proof of vaccination and have a negative COVID-19 test in order to board their flights.
Orlando Airport
Airlines have had to cancel thousands of flights recently due the rapidly spreading Omicron variant of COVID-19 causing them to be short staffed. Stay tuned to DFB for more COVID-19 news and updates as they pertain to travel and tourism.
To read more about COVID-19, check out our other recent posts:
- NEWS: The COVID-19 Testing Positivity Rate has Increases Significantly in Central Florida
- NEWS: Omicron COVID-19 Variant Expected to Slow International Tourism in Florida
- Omicron COVID-19 Variant Present in Wastewater in a Disney World County
- The Omicron COVID-19 Variant and Disney World: What You Need To Know
- NEWS: Disney Cruise Ships and More Under CDC Investigation Due to COVID-19 Concerns
- NEWS: CDC Changes COVID-19 Isolation and Quarantine Recommendations
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What’s the point of a vaccine mandate? Fully vaccinated cruise ships are spreading covid. In fact if you want to get technical, the vaccinated are more likely to spread the virus because they don’t have to test . The proof is cruise ships plagued with covid from fully vaccinated people.
My wife & I are fully-vaccinated with the booster. From what I’m seeing as far as the new Omicron variant, it’s about like getting a cold. Highly infectious, which is good, as it will “vaccinate” many people in a short period of time. This is about the best thing that could have happened with COVID – a mild version that allows many to build up antibodies. Sure, some with compromised immune systems can have problems, just as they would with the common cold or the flu. Those people should avoid large gatherings. I don’t wear a mask unless forced to do so (on planes). Remember, the masks are not worn to protect the wearer (in theory). Most don’t know how to wear a mask and/or are constantly touching their mask and then their faces. I’m more concerned about the yearly flu than COVID at this point. Time to end the mask nonsense. Hope this is all done by our next Disney trip in October.
In Canada we have to be fully vaccinated for air and train travel. Yes the virus is spreading anyways but the trains are all still running and apparently our flight cancellations have been from weather concerns and not illness and lack of staff.
There is a problem with only having to show a negative result from a rapid test to travel as you can be negative one day then the very next day be positive. I know, it happened to me. Do tests don’t tell the whole story?
What’s the answer? I’ll leave that to the scientists and not the politicians. Armchair or other.
In case you’re wondering, both my husband and I are double vaxed and well over 60. We are both happy to only have mild/moderate cold symptoms and isolating at home. We were very sad to have had to cancel our Disney trip for the holidays but it is what is is.
Be safe out there!
Oh I should add that nobody staying with us and near us got infected. They were triple vaxed.
They have already proven that the vaccine isn’t doing what they said it would do in the beginning when this all started. Now they’re just grasping at straws. They have already said that getting all these booster shots is lowering your immune system. Dr. Fauci doesn’t even know what he’s saying anymore. They have put people in a panic over theses last couple of years, people are starting to wake up which is about time. I’m not saying Covid isn’t real, in fact my husband had it and was on a ventilator, hospitalized for over 30 days. It started with pneumonia, once again folks it starts with something first attacking your system then Covid comes in. Anyway 60 days of hospitalization then rehab, this was back in September of this year. He still has a lot of difficulties, but still to this day he stands firm with not getting vaccinated, due to all the not knowing and the guessing game about this vaccine. And now it’s slowly coming out of the woodwork about the damage it has caused and causing and most important it doesn’t matter if your vaccinated or not because you can still get it. So for all the vaccinated people out there who were pointing the finger at all the unvaccinated people for spreading Covid, well the unvaccinated may just know what they were talking about.
Of course the airline industry doesn’t want it, they are just starting to recover from the devastation of the earlier ill-thought of shutdowns and other mandates. As for a “vaccine mandate” to fly the airlines I agree with Belle’s statement concerning the cruise ships. Crew and passengers were all “required” to be vaccinated and look at the result. But we never did hear whether it was severe or mild or if any deaths were attributed to it. We may never know the whole story if it doesn’t fit the current narrative. While it seems a contentious statement I think we SHOULD protect the most vulnerable (elderly and those with other health problems) and let the young and healthy alone. The young and healthy by far have had the mild cases and less prone to the adverse reactions to it. The more we delay the natural course the longer it will be until we reach an end to this headache. Remember, the Spanish flu of 1918 (worldwide 50m dead, 500m infected) was never eradicated (the worse lasted about 2 years), it only “mutated” into some of the less deadly annual strains we still have today.
If everyone stopped the blame game we just may see the full light of day again and we can, again, totally enjoy WDW!
No offense but your chick bait headlines are what’s starting rumors.
Trust the science. Vaccinated people spread vivid just like unvaccinated people. I still do not understand vaccine mandates when anyone can spread it. If the vaccines actually did their job and stopped covid from spreading, I might see why people are into mandates. That is not the case. Those who disagree are science deniers and very selfish.
If it is required to prove vaccination, I will no longer fly. I’ve been vaccinated, but neither the government nor the airlines has the right to know that.
Ya, but COVID these days is just a runny nose, stuffy headache that makes you. Feel a bit fatigued. If everyone catches this bad cold, what’s the big deal?
Amber, I’m glad to hear your husband improved with treatment. I hope he completely recovers soon.
I flew to Florida once. Happy to just drive saves me money and I’m vaccinated lol just don’t like dealing with airlines regardless.
Thank you Sarah