Disney World tightens its park rules to ban masks with valves, holes, or mesh on them

• Disney World has updated its coronavirus rules to ban masks with valves, holes, or mesh on them.
• Universal Orlando Resort also announced a similar policy banning some types of masks.
• More than 432,700 people in Florida have now tested positive for COVID-19, putting Florida's number of cases ahead of New York.

Disney changed its park policies to ban masks with valves in them, masks made of mesh material, or those with holes in them.

This policy specification follows other recent changes to Disney's policies, including the removal of a loophole that had technically allowed guests to not wear a mask while walking around if they were eating or drinking.

"Face coverings are intended to reduce the transfer of respiratory droplets, and exhalation valves and materials with holes do not adequately filter air that is exhaled," the company says on the Walt Disney World website. "At this time, neck gaiters, open-chin triangle bandanas, and face coverings containing valves, mesh material or holes of any kind are not acceptable face coverings."

Disney's guidelines surrounding masks has continued to be a trending topic of discussion in the hospitality and tourism business ever since Downtown Disney, Disneyland Resort's shopping and dining district, gradually began to reopen its facilities on July 9.

Universal Orlando Resort followed suit, updating its mask policy on July 22 to ban masks with exhalation valves and mesh or holes, according to Attractions Magazine.

Nearly 6,000 Floridians have died since the beginning of the outbreak, according to the Orlando Sentinel. Over 432, 700 people in Florida, the third-most populous state in the US with over 21.5 million residents, have tested positive for the coronavirus.

This weekend, Florida's Department of Health reported almost 8,900 new cases and 77 additional deaths as the state exceeded New York's case total on July 25.

Governor Rob DeSantis has continually defended Florida's handling of the pandemic despite increasing pressure from other elected officials.

Elsewhere in the world, Disney shut down its Hong Kong Disneyland park after it had reopened following a temporary closure. The announcement was made after Hong Kong saw 52 new COVID-19 cases.