The CDC just changed its mask guidelines. Where do you still need one in South Florida?
Mask guidance is changing again, South Florida.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday updated its guidelines on whether people should wear a mask or not depending on their community’s COVID-19 risk level. This puts South Florida under the medium risk level.
Under this risk level, the CDC is leaving masks up to you, although it is recommending them for anyone exposed to COVID-19, or who has symptoms or tests positive. People considered to be high risk for severe illness should also speak with a doctor on whether to wear a mask.
The change comes as COVID cases and hospitalizations decline and more places across the country have loosened or dropped their mask mandates The Florida Department of Health also recently issued new guidance recommending, among other things, that businesses should not require employees to mask up.
However, in Florida, mask usage depends on where you go.
Businesses have the right to decide their own mask policies. Miami-Dade and Broward counties have issued mask rules for their government buildings throughout the pandemic. So have hospitals. And until recently, mask policies at schools varied, too.
Some people might be more ready to go out maskless than others. And even if you decide to show your face to the world, some places might tell you to cover up.
Here’s a list to help you track South Florida mask policies:
Stores
Supermarkets: Most grocery stores have dropped the mask requirement for fully vaccinated customers or pivoted to recommending masks. If you’re unsure of a store’s rule, look for a sign on the front door.
Pharmacies: Walgreens and CVS Health, which owns Navarro Discount Pharmacies, CVS y mas and traditional CVS stores, do not require fully vaccinated customers to wear masks. Unvaccinated customers are asked to mask up.
Retailers: Some stores might have a mask mandate in place.
Planes, trains and ride shares
▪ Transportation: At Miami International Airport and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, masks are still required inside the airport and on planes due to a federal mandate. The mandate also applies to Brightline, Tri-Rail, Metrorail, Metromover, buses, taxis, Uber, Lyft and other public transportation options. And if you’re flying internationally, keep in mind that each country has its own vaccination, testing and quarantine rules.
On campus
Public schools: No one needs to wear a mask inside Miami-Dade and Broward public schools. However, spectators are still required to wear a face covering at school athletic events in Miami-Dade County public schools.
Catholic schools: At schools run by the Archdiocese of Miami, masks are optional for fully vaccinated students and kids whose parents signed a consent opt-out form. All other students are required to wear a mask indoors. Fully vaccinated school staff in grades 6-12 don’t need to wear a mask. However, faculty and staff in grades preK-5 must mask up, regardless of their vaccination status, according to the most recent Archdiocese mask policy. Anyone who is not fully vaccinated is asked to keep wearing a mask at all Mass and parish gatherings.
Charter schools: Mask policies at charter schools are set by the governing board of each school. Most of the major public charter schools in South Florida recommend masks but are letting parents decide if their children should wear a mask.
Colleges: At public universities and colleges, such as Florida International University and Miami Dade College, masks are recommended but not required. Private universities have their own rules. The University of Miami, for example, requires masks indoors but not outside.
Government buildings
Courts: Masks are no longer required inside Miami-Dade courthouses.
County buildings: Masks are no longer required inside libraries and other Miami-Dade government buildings. In Broward, masks are strongly encouraged for visitors inside government buildings, as of Feb. 9. Employees are still required to mask up indoors.
Healthcare
Hospitals: Masks are required. However, keep in mind that some South Florida hospitals have limited or temporarily ended visitations. Jackson Health System, for example, has canceled visitations for most patients. At University of Miami Health System, limited visitations are now in effect. Baptist Health South Florida said the guidelines continuously change and the rules vary, depending on the property.
Arenas and theaters
Sports venues: FTX Arena, home of the Miami Heat, requires everyone ages 2 and older to wear a mask, regardless of vaccination status. At Sunrise’s FLA Live Arena, home of the Florida Panthers, masks are recommended, not required. This might vary depending on which event you’re attending. At Hard Rock Stadium, home of the Miami Dolphins, and at loanDepot park, home of the Miami Marlins, masks are recommended.
Concerts: Every event is different, so you’ll want to check the policy before buying your ticket. Check your email frequently, too, in case there are any updates.
Performing arts venues: Adrienne Arsht Center in downtown Miami requires everyone age 2 and older to wear a mask. Broward Center for the Performing Arts and Actors’ Playhouse at The Miracle Theatre in Coral Gables also require masks.
Theme parks
Attractions: It depends on where you go. At Zoo Miami, everyone 2 and older need to wear masks inside all indoor facilities, regardless of vaccination status. This may change now that Miami-Dade has ended its mask mandate in county buildings. At Flamingo Gardens in Broward, masks and social distancing are not required. At Dave & Buster’s at Dolphin Mall, masks are recommended but not required for people who are not vaccinated.
Disney World and Universal: Planning a road trip to Central Florida? Masks are optional for fully vaccinated guests at Walt Disney World. Everyone 2 and older will still have to mask up on Disney transportation, including buses, monorails and the Skyliner due to a federal mask transportation mandate. The theme park says it expects unvaccinated guests will continue to wear masks indoors. However, Florida law prevents the parks from checking your vaccination status. At Universal Orlando Resort, masks are recommended, not required.
Shopping and dining
Malls: Stores and restaurants inside malls are allowed to have their own mask policies. What about in mall common areas? It depends on where you go. At Aventura Mall and Brickell City Centre, for example, masks are recommended, but not required. At CityPlace Doral and at malls owned and run by Simon, including Miami International Mall, The Falls, Sawgrass Mills and Dadeland, fully vaccinated shoppers don’t need to wear a mask. People who are not vaccinated are encouraged to mask up.
Miami Herald staff writer Carli Teproff contributed to this report.
This article will be updated as mask policies change.
This story was originally published February 16, 2022 at 6:36 AM.
