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By Shirenna |

Universal Orlando workers to be vaccinated or undergo weekly testing

Virus Outbreak-Florida Theme Parks
FILE – In this Aug. 5, 2019 file photo, guests cool off under a water mist by the globe at Universal Studios City Walk at Universal Studios Florida in Orlando, Fla. In the wake of the coronavirus crisis, the company that owns Universal theme parks around the world says it’s delaying construction on a fourth theme park in Florida and that the opening of a Nintendo-themed park in Japan will be pushed back by a few months. Comcast CEO Brian Roberts said Thursday, April 30, 2020 that the company was delaying construction on its fourth park at Orlando Universal Resort. The Epic Universe theme park was announced last year to great fanfare. (AP Photo/John Raoux, file)

Workers at Universal Orlando theme parks will have to get the COVID-19 vaccination or undergo weekly testing.

The theme park made the announcement on Wednesday stating that the vaccine mandate is in an effort to comply with new COVID federal guidelines that took affect on Monday.

“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.”

Under the federal mandate, companies with 100 or more employees must require workers to be vaccinated or mandate unvaccinated employees to undergo weekly COVID testing.

The theme park reported that most of their staff members have already received their vaccinations but for those who haven’t they must be fully vaccinated by Feb. 9 or be required to take a test every week.

The company also reported that they will be providing free onsite testing for employees.

The mandate will not affect guests.