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.

With the Omicron variant and a surge in COVID-19 cases, many countries are re-evaluating their health and safety measures. We’ve seen some recent Disney park closures, an advisory about cruise travel, and an update on international travel recommendations.

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One of the issues that Florida has encountered is a shortage of COVID-19 tests. More tests were promised from the federal government, but they have not yet arrived according to Governor Ron DeSantis. In light of this situation, Florida has released NEW guidance for COVID-19 testing.

According to Wesh.com, Florida’s newest COVID-19 testing guidance is meant to emphasize high-value testing. That means that the state will prioritize testing for individuals who have symptoms of COVID-19, and especially those who are both symptomatic and high-risk. Testing individuals who are low-risk and do not have COVID-19 symptoms is considered low-value testing.

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The goal with this change is that the limited number of COVID-19 tests that are available in Florida will be used in the most effective way possible. Rather than testing everyone systematically, the tests will be saved for people who are showing symptoms and especially those who are high risk. (The CDC considers older adults and people who have a preexisting health condition — such as the ones listed on the CDC’s website — to be high risk.)

Disney World

ClickOrlando reported that “State health officials said testing for anyone who may have been exposed to COVID-19 but have no symptoms is ‘unlikely to have any clinical benefits.'” Since there is a limited number of tests available, officials are trying to prioritize those individuals who need them most.

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Here are the new COVID-19 testing recommendations in Florida:

People who have COVID-19 symptoms and are high-risk:

• Should get tested for COVID-19 soon after symptom onset.
• Should seek early monoclonal antibody or antiviral drug treatment and seek other medical treatment as necessary.

People who have symptoms but aren’t high-risk:

• Should consider getting tested for COVID-19 soon after symptom onset.
• Seek medical treatment only as necessary.

People who have no symptoms (even if they’ve been exposed to COVID-19):

• COVID-19 testing is unlikely to have any clinical benefits.

Remember that following this guidance for testing is not mandatory; individuals are still welcome to make their own decisions, based on their specific situations.

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Florida isn’t the only place adjusting their COVID-19 testing policies. The United Kingdom (including England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales) recently updated their COVID-19 testing rules in order to “cut isolation times” and ease staffing shortages.

Click Here to Read More About the Updated COVID-19 Testing Rules In the UK

Want to learn more about the current situation with COVID-19 and travel? Check out our links below:

• Here’s What We Know About Coronavirus and Travel to Disney World and Disneyland
• Florida Breaks Single-Day Record of Positive COVID-19 Cases
• 2,500 Disney Fans Say the Omicron COVID-19 Variant Has Changed Their Travel Plans
• The Omicron Variant and Disney World: What You Need to Know
• Full List of Current Travel Restrictions and Border Closures Due to the Omicron Variant

Keep following DFB for more updates on the latest news in Florida.

Are Travel Bans the WRONG Way to Fight the Omicron Variant? Here’s What Some Officials Say.