Hyatt has just updated its face mask policy, following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updating its guidance so that fully vaccinated people no longer have to wear masks in most settings.
In this post:
Hyatt’s updated mask policy
In the summer of 2020, Hyatt (and all other major hotel groups) made face masks mandatory at all properties in the United States (and other regions, though the exact policy varied by brand).
Now Hyatt is starting to ease these restrictions. Here’s Hyatt’s updated mask policy for hotels in the United States:
- Vaccinated guests no longer have to wear face masks
- Unvaccinated guests are still required to wear face masks in indoor public areas, as well as outdoor public areas where social distancing isn’t feasible
- Hyatt employees continue to be required to wear face masks; the only exception is that vaccinated employees who work outdoors and not in close contact with others aren’t required to wear face coverings
In all other countries across the Americas, guests continue to be required to wear face masks, regardless of vaccination status. Furthermore, mask requirements will continue to be in place for all guests at Hyatts that are located in areas that have mask mandates. For example, Hawaii is very strict with masks, so I’d expect that you continue to have to wear masks at Hyatt properties in Hawaii, regardless of vaccination status.
How will Hyatt know if you’re vaccinated?
Hyatt won’t know who is or isn’t vaccinated, and you certainly won’t be asked to prove it. Like any business trying to make sense of the updated guidance, Hyatt will be using the honor system. The company will post its policy, and then it’s up to individuals to decide what they want to do.
That’s why many view the CDC’s updated recommendations as a double-edged sword:
- Vaccinated people don’t pose a significant risk to others
- The issue is that this also allows anti-maskers and anti-vaxxers to stop wearing masks without anyone calling them out on it
I was in Hawaii when the CDC announced its updated guidance. Hawaii is very strict with masks, so nothing changed there. However, when I returned to Florida over the weekend I felt like I landed on a different planet, as virtually no one was wearing a mask, even when entering coffee shops, restaurants, stores, etc.
I have to be honest, I struggled not to wear a mask, for the simple reason that I basically felt naked not wearing one. Masks have become such a part of our everyday lives that it’s taking me a second to get used to it. It’s like if the CDC told us tomorrow we don’t have to wear pants in public anymore — it might take me a minute!
Bottom line
Following updated guidance from the CDC, Hyatt is no longer requiring vaccinated guests at hotels in the United States to wear masks in public areas. I imagine other hotel groups will follow shortly.
(Tip of the hat to @drnilescrane)
Asking folks to abide by the honor system is foolish and dangerous. If you don’t check vaccine status and you allow folks to not use masks is, in effect, no mask policy. I checked into the Hyatt place in Charlottesville VA and both last night and this morning the front desk staff were without masks. Other cities require proof of vacation before allowing no masks, you should do better. Consumers beware there is no practical...
Asking folks to abide by the honor system is foolish and dangerous. If you don’t check vaccine status and you allow folks to not use masks is, in effect, no mask policy. I checked into the Hyatt place in Charlottesville VA and both last night and this morning the front desk staff were without masks. Other cities require proof of vacation before allowing no masks, you should do better. Consumers beware there is no practical or safe conditions in Hyatt hotels because of their policy.
Bens last comment is a little horrifying. The psychological damage done to people by the media bombardment could take years to undo.
@NoFear
Your response shows zero empathy for anyone else and how tough you think you are. I lost a young family member to Covid. I'm glad you survived covid, but not everyone has and telling people who weren't as lucky as you to "toughen up" shows your ignorance and narcissism. This has nothing to do with pro/con on masks. It has to do with being a decent person.
I hope you fare well with the...
@NoFear
Your response shows zero empathy for anyone else and how tough you think you are. I lost a young family member to Covid. I'm glad you survived covid, but not everyone has and telling people who weren't as lucky as you to "toughen up" shows your ignorance and narcissism. This has nothing to do with pro/con on masks. It has to do with being a decent person.
I hope you fare well with the "steel balls" you grew as they clank together while you do your macho walking.
Sincerely,
A Pansy
@Michael:
Point taken and agree.
@Ray, anyone who has to use the alias No Fear and goes around telling people how not afraid they are is usually overcompensating for something else. People who don't have to worry about insecurity do not feel the need to go around telling everyone how tough they are.
@Ed, I'll restate my point: we have flu vaccines.
@No Fear:
Please explain India based on your macho education. Can America be any more ignorant? Elect Trump again. Show the world how proud you are of your stupidity.
Hey @michael, what part of "the seasonal flu poses more threat to children than covid ever has"? And please tell us how concerned you were about the children catching the flu and shutting down schools and wearing masks before 2020? We all know the answer: you never once even blinked at kids not wearing masks during the flu season. It probably never even occurred to you, or anyone else. That is, of course, until the...
Hey @michael, what part of "the seasonal flu poses more threat to children than covid ever has"? And please tell us how concerned you were about the children catching the flu and shutting down schools and wearing masks before 2020? We all know the answer: you never once even blinked at kids not wearing masks during the flu season. It probably never even occurred to you, or anyone else. That is, of course, until the media manipulated you into thinking that kids are all going to die if they don't shut down schools and wear masks. Holy cow, people. Stop letting the media manipulate you with fake pandemic paranoia narratives. Think for yourself.
@mosfet I'm onky aware of one state (NY) that has a vaccine passport. Search for "excelsior pass."
@Europpean:
Don't speak for all of Europe. You don't have the authority. Here in Spain we wear masks. My wife and I like to see the ones that don't and they are very similar to the American profile (obese and ugly, mostly male but some female). We usually comment "BWAM" as we walk by: better with a mask.
This COVID pandemic turned grown men/women into cowards & pansies. I contracted the virus in China Dec/'19, survived the illness, and got my set of Pfizer vaccines in Apr/'21 for the sake of traveling to a country that may require it. I have never feared the disease post COVID breakout, and neither did I stop travelling because of that. Be physically/mentally tough. A bit of bacteria/virus in your system isn't necessary bad as it will...
This COVID pandemic turned grown men/women into cowards & pansies. I contracted the virus in China Dec/'19, survived the illness, and got my set of Pfizer vaccines in Apr/'21 for the sake of traveling to a country that may require it. I have never feared the disease post COVID breakout, and neither did I stop travelling because of that. Be physically/mentally tough. A bit of bacteria/virus in your system isn't necessary bad as it will build immunity. You've heard"what doesn't kill you will make you stronger"? Grow some steel balls already...
It will take me awhile to be comfortable again with not wearing a mask. I just want a button that says “I’m not a Republican. Just vaccinated!” I wouldn’t want foreigners to think I’m an insurgent supporter.
"I have to be honest, I struggled not to wear a mask, for the simple reason that I basically felt naked not wearing one. Masks have become such a part of our everyday lives that it’s taking me a second to get used to it."
Wow, look what they did to you. You were scared by government. We people in Europe didn't get used to masks, hardly wore them and feel normal without them. And we're still alive.
Good - fully vaccinated and hate wearing a mask so won't anywhere unless I have to.
Understand if you are vaccinated you are safe from getting the virus (or will only get a mild case) and almost certainly can't transmit it. These are not my opinion but CDC/NIH facts. The Biden administration (along w the CDC) has been very conservative so for them to make this major change tells me the science is overwhelming. Also,...
Good - fully vaccinated and hate wearing a mask so won't anywhere unless I have to.
Understand if you are vaccinated you are safe from getting the virus (or will only get a mild case) and almost certainly can't transmit it. These are not my opinion but CDC/NIH facts. The Biden administration (along w the CDC) has been very conservative so for them to make this major change tells me the science is overwhelming. Also, my governor (A Democrat) removed all mask, distancing and business restrictions statewide last Friday. All in all if you are vaccinated you don't need a mask.
Now how about those that aren't vaccinated but don't wear masks. Well they are at risk from other non-vaccinated people. If they want to be stupid they can risk getting sick. Otherwise get vaccinated or keep wearing a mask and distancing.
I am SO glad we FINALLY went from big brother putting in rules and restrictions to protect everyone to personal accountability where it is up to the individual. Sure people will like and take advantage of it but hopefully they get sick and then develop antibodies. You can do it the easy way (vaccine) or the hard way (COVID) but we will get there eventually.
Ok so can we agree that vaccinated people pose virtually no risk to unvaccinated people and vice versa? So wo cares if those unvaccinated people are honest or not? If you're vaccinated that should be no issue to you.
The biggest problem that I have with anti-vaxxers is not that they don't want to get the vaccine is that they want to spread false information about the vaccines. You don't want to get it that's fine than just STFU and don't get it
@NK3 you can't possibly be serious. Denying coverage is something health insurance companies did all the time. It is not unprecedented. It was called pre-existing conditions, and it didn't matter if you had them because you made bad life choices or you were born with them. If you were born with a heart defect, good luck getting someone to cover it. We just made that practice illegal. If it wasn't for the ACA they'd still be doing it to this day.
@anastasia then continue to wear your mask if you fear infection from others. Your health care is not the responsibility of someone else this is like saying everyone should be forced to get the flu vaccine or wear a mask.
"If you are vaccinated then why do you care if unvaccinated people dont wear mask?" Because the vaccine is only 95% effective so you can still get covid (albeit a milder form), kids under 12 can't get the vaccine, people with allergies to the ingredients or certain medical conditions can't get the vaccine, and even if they're not traveling the virus can still spread to them via places they have to be, like, ya know,...
"If you are vaccinated then why do you care if unvaccinated people dont wear mask?" Because the vaccine is only 95% effective so you can still get covid (albeit a milder form), kids under 12 can't get the vaccine, people with allergies to the ingredients or certain medical conditions can't get the vaccine, and even if they're not traveling the virus can still spread to them via places they have to be, like, ya know, their job. Possibly at the hotel you're staying at.
@Michael I think you make some good points. I get your angst with the honor system, and it is frustrating that there is a segment of the population that can't get the vaccine. Pfizer is hoping to wrap up trials for younger kids by the end of summer, so hopefully vaccines will be available to (almost) everyone by fall. I too wish we had a better vaccine passport, but we don't, and its probably too...
@Michael I think you make some good points. I get your angst with the honor system, and it is frustrating that there is a segment of the population that can't get the vaccine. Pfizer is hoping to wrap up trials for younger kids by the end of summer, so hopefully vaccines will be available to (almost) everyone by fall. I too wish we had a better vaccine passport, but we don't, and its probably too late to get anything effective.
Regarding health insurance not paying for people who don't get the vaccine, and think that would be unprecedented. There are many bad life choices people make that result in health problems we all pay for--smoking, not wearing seat belts, poor diet, lack of physical activity, etc.
I am amused how the vaccines are 90-95% effective at preventing Covid (note: not SARS-Cov2) and 100% effective (so far) at preventing serious hospitalization from Covid, but many in the comment section has equated that with "100% effective for Covid." (Infection? Transmission? Whatever!)
Some in this comment section have taken it further and have a "Covid for Covid" self-immunization policy. Hopefully that will work forever, because it sure doesn't for influenza.
Good job with the...
I am amused how the vaccines are 90-95% effective at preventing Covid (note: not SARS-Cov2) and 100% effective (so far) at preventing serious hospitalization from Covid, but many in the comment section has equated that with "100% effective for Covid." (Infection? Transmission? Whatever!)
Some in this comment section have taken it further and have a "Covid for Covid" self-immunization policy. Hopefully that will work forever, because it sure doesn't for influenza.
Good job with the science, people. This thing is gonna work out great.
Just so we are all on the same page here, “breakthrough” infections are rare, but do occur. So even if I am vaccinated, my risk of infection isn’t zero.
But more significantly, unvaccinated people not following safety measures will continue to allow the virus to circulate, with potential for the virus to mutate to a point that reduce vaccines efficacy.
Not saying I like to wear a mask, but I’d certainly continue to wear it...
Just so we are all on the same page here, “breakthrough” infections are rare, but do occur. So even if I am vaccinated, my risk of infection isn’t zero.
But more significantly, unvaccinated people not following safety measures will continue to allow the virus to circulate, with potential for the virus to mutate to a point that reduce vaccines efficacy.
Not saying I like to wear a mask, but I’d certainly continue to wear it for a few more months while we increase vaccinations to herd immunity.
Hyatt is simply following the protocol of the CDC which, I assume, is supported by data. At this point it's only unvaccinated people that should fear being around other unvaccinated people (and the rare instances where vaccines don't provide 100% protection). It'll take me a couple weeks to feel normal going maskless but I'll get there. Looking forward to a great summer.
If you are vaccinated then why do you care if unvaccinated people dont wear mask? Its like you dont trust the vaccine. I had COVID and survived I wont be wearing a mask. @Bill then why are you concerned?
@NK3, we have flu vaccines for everyone. Also, if you're driving to the Hyatt without a seatbelt, everyone can see it. You get a ticket. Just because my kids will be relatively low risk from COVID doesn't mean I "want" them to get it. I'm not bitching about lifting the mask rules. I'm bitching about using the honor system. It doesn't work until EVERYONE has access to a vaccine. Costco checks your card on the...
@NK3, we have flu vaccines for everyone. Also, if you're driving to the Hyatt without a seatbelt, everyone can see it. You get a ticket. Just because my kids will be relatively low risk from COVID doesn't mean I "want" them to get it. I'm not bitching about lifting the mask rules. I'm bitching about using the honor system. It doesn't work until EVERYONE has access to a vaccine. Costco checks your card on the way in and your receipt on the way out. But for a contagious disease it's like "meh, we trust you". You lock your front door and your car at night. You don't rely on trusting your neighbors to stay out of either one. If we learned anything from the past year is that there is a segment of the population who just doesn't give a shit about others, and will refuse to wear a mask to protect others and they will lie about it. We should have vaccine passports, and health insurance companies should deny coverage to whoever refuses a vaccine with no valid medical reason. If you refuse a vaccine, then it's YOU would should be inconvenienced, and not someone else's kids who can't get vaccinated right now. So I'm sorry, but comparing COVID to the flu or to driving a car is called a false equivalence.
@Bill the antivaxxers will only spread amongst themselves. Don’t worry you’re safe the vaccine works follow the science.
"Hyatt won’t know who is or isn’t vaccinated, and you certainly won’t be asked to prove it. " This is why the rule change was stupid. We all know the anti-vaxxers will outright lie about being vaccinated so that they don't have to wear a mask and they will happily go around spreading covid. If the pandemic has taught us anything it has taught us that there is a segment of society who only cares...
"Hyatt won’t know who is or isn’t vaccinated, and you certainly won’t be asked to prove it. " This is why the rule change was stupid. We all know the anti-vaxxers will outright lie about being vaccinated so that they don't have to wear a mask and they will happily go around spreading covid. If the pandemic has taught us anything it has taught us that there is a segment of society who only cares about themselves and could care less about the risk they expose others to. When covid starts surging in the fall the US will look like an embarrassment. They should have done a vaccine passport like some other countries. That would have encouraged people to get vaccinated and helped keep everyone safe when indoors.
@NK3 thanks for translating for me. And yes, a higher chance of death driving to the Hyatt than from Covid. Sorry but kids and antivaxxers are not a concern.
I don't mind if others wear masks or not.
But I do mind hotels not replacing sheets and pillowcases.
I dare that Hyatt has this kind of determination enforcing sheet replacement between customers comparing to mask requirements. Otherwise, it's just another political BS.
@Michael While I don't approve of the way @Sel was voicing his opinion, I think there is a point to be made there. Every year influenza kills thousands of people. There is a flu shot (which is far less effective than the Covid vaccines), but we do not make it mandatory for most of the population. If the general population wore masks during flu season, there would be less transmission of flu and less deaths....
@Michael While I don't approve of the way @Sel was voicing his opinion, I think there is a point to be made there. Every year influenza kills thousands of people. There is a flu shot (which is far less effective than the Covid vaccines), but we do not make it mandatory for most of the population. If the general population wore masks during flu season, there would be less transmission of flu and less deaths. This past flu season showed that to be true--people wore masks because of Covid, and we had far lower flu numbers.
Covid was not just another flu. We needed to take drastic measures because it had much higher morbidity and mortality. While we have not reached herd immunity (there is no imaginary line when that occurs), we are definitely seeing the benefits of the vaccine--daily case numbers are dropping, hospitalizations are down, and deaths are decreasing.
Any time we leave the house we have the potential to encounter things that could make us sick or even kill us. Getting in automobiles is actually fairly dangerous. The flu each year puts many of us at risk, but we have not made masks mandatory for the flu before, had flu shot vaccine passports, etc. As a society, we accept that those risks exist, even though thousands are killed each year. Covid is not going away completely, but hopefully as vaccinations continue the risk to society as a whole may get to a level that is less than flu. And as the risk decreases to a level we as a society accept, then we can start end these restrictions. Is now the right time to end the mask requirement, or a month from now, or 2? There is no right answer. Personally I will leave mine on for a bit.
Good. I’m vaccinated and literally don’t want to go out of my way anymore to protect those that won’t protect themselves. They made their choice, and I made mine. And blah, blah, the immunocompromised shouldn’t be staying in a hotel right now anyway. I’ll also be sure to not get within 6 feet of someone else’s kid. Kids shouldn’t be in my room or the hotel bar anyway.
So they have announced masks are not required anymore basically. Good to know.
At this point, I think the CDC believes that we are at a point where the US has enough immunity through vaccines and prior infection that unvaccinated people not wearing masks won't really hurt anything. I don't think they would have made this change if they thought that there was any chance that it would result in another big Covid surge. I mean, look at Texas. Despite them removing every single mandate a couple months...
At this point, I think the CDC believes that we are at a point where the US has enough immunity through vaccines and prior infection that unvaccinated people not wearing masks won't really hurt anything. I don't think they would have made this change if they thought that there was any chance that it would result in another big Covid surge. I mean, look at Texas. Despite them removing every single mandate a couple months ago, their cases have continued to plummet and they had zero Covid deaths a couple days ago for the first time in a year. I truly believe that we'll see a total removal of mask mandates in the near future because the situation just is not urgent any more. Not to mention, small kids under age 12 are at virtually zero risk from Covid. The flu on averages kills 2-3x's more kids than Covid has. Most of them never even experience symptoms so I predict that they will soon be exempt from masks too as they should be.
All of this being said, I find it hilarious that it is mostly vaccinated people who are whining about this change. If you are vaccinated, you are protected! Therefore, unvaccinated people not masking has zero impact on you! I am vaccinated and have not worn a mask since the announcement and it has been great! I made sure to never get used to masks so when the time came, I'd toss those horrible things off for good!
@Steve_CC
At this point there is no excuse for not getting a vaccine in the US, you can walk up to any CVS or walgreens and get one right now if you haven’t already.
I have already gotten COVID and recovered from it. Vaccines has a greater chance to cause more severe side effects on persons who have had COVID. I think my position is perfectly sensible given that most people taking vaccine...
@Steve_CC
At this point there is no excuse for not getting a vaccine in the US, you can walk up to any CVS or walgreens and get one right now if you haven’t already.
I have already gotten COVID and recovered from it. Vaccines has a greater chance to cause more severe side effects on persons who have had COVID. I think my position is perfectly sensible given that most people taking vaccine selfies would not pay for my loss of vacation time in addition to suffering if I am unlucky getting bed ridden for a week or so.
Also, nobody cares if you like the kids or not. All we care and ask for is that you don't act like
a sociopath and follow the rules mmkay?
@Sel, just because kids are at lower risk, do they deserve to get infected because someone else chooses to lie about their vaccination status? Seems like you have misplaced outrage. Let's keep the outrage on the person who chooses to lie about their vaccination status, not an innocent kid who has no option to take a vaccine. How about we ask those people to be the ones who stay home? For the most you can...
@Sel, just because kids are at lower risk, do they deserve to get infected because someone else chooses to lie about their vaccination status? Seems like you have misplaced outrage. Let's keep the outrage on the person who chooses to lie about their vaccination status, not an innocent kid who has no option to take a vaccine. How about we ask those people to be the ones who stay home? For the most you can tell who they are. It the ones who push the thou shall not bear false witness and the other 9 commandments on everybody else.
If you are vaccinated quit obsessing over what someone else is doing or not doing.
I identify as vaccinated :)
Stop with this kid nonsense and do some research - under 12 have a higher death risk from Influenza (look this up it’s called a fact). If you’re scared stay home with your offspring and wear your tinfoil hats. Nobody likes your kids anyways.
@ Ben -- These policies are such a joke. The same idiots who haven't gotten vaccinated are the ones who will violate the policy. I mean, why bother with the mask theater at this point?
@ Craig…unvaccinated will not be exposed to financial liability.
Why would I care if the CDC told me not to wear pants? Similarly it’s my choice to continue wearing masks. Scientifically speaking, happy to see CDC has caught up with those of us who have followed the literature. Vaccinated people are not going to harm unvaccinated people nor vice versa. I’m vaccinated for measles—I don’t worry about spreading measles nor getting measles from an unvaccinated person. I’m happy to take off my mask. The...
Why would I care if the CDC told me not to wear pants? Similarly it’s my choice to continue wearing masks. Scientifically speaking, happy to see CDC has caught up with those of us who have followed the literature. Vaccinated people are not going to harm unvaccinated people nor vice versa. I’m vaccinated for measles—I don’t worry about spreading measles nor getting measles from an unvaccinated person. I’m happy to take off my mask. The unvaccinated people should take precautions as they see fit if they are too silly to not get the vaccine. Of course if I were an insurance company going forward I would expect folks to be properly vaccinated or I would not offer insurance to them. You pay your medicine and you take your chances as the old saying goes...
If the vaccine was fully available to all kids, this would be so much easier. Kids are a big issue - as they can't get the vaccine if they are under 12 and it makes it much more complicated traveling as a family (parents are vaccinated but kids aren't) with unvaccinated people not wearing masks.
North Carolina relaxed its mask rules last week like many places in like with the CDC recommendations. We are dealing with a real or imagined "fuel crisis" which has limited my non essentially driving until the hoopla dies down. With that being said, the handful of places that I have been including Tuesday evening mask wearing has been pretty close to the level that I observed prior to the announcement. Only Wal-Mart has explicitly stated...
North Carolina relaxed its mask rules last week like many places in like with the CDC recommendations. We are dealing with a real or imagined "fuel crisis" which has limited my non essentially driving until the hoopla dies down. With that being said, the handful of places that I have been including Tuesday evening mask wearing has been pretty close to the level that I observed prior to the announcement. Only Wal-Mart has explicitly stated in signage that masks are no longer required. However I was in one last night and most (75%+) had one on. My gym still asks you to wear one. It seems there is some inertia with this and will continue with the broader general public for some time. Of course local customs will be the primary driver of behavior. With that being said, which everyone that has been vaccinated has received a CDC card, a rudimentary vaccine passport if you may, the general idea of passport requirements as a governmental mandate has been mixed. So we are left with the honor system which is essentially what is discussed. The majority of people will generally follow it. A significant minority say 1/4 to 1/3 may not. In away I am less worried about the vagaries of mask wearing when traveling but more interested in the longer term dealing with the unvaccinated and liability both from the public side and the employer/ee side. Eventually the unvaccinated will be exposed to financial and social liability for being voluntarily unvaccinated.
Since children under 12 still can’t get vaccinated, will Hyatt staff be enforcing any requirements for them to wear masks? Seems silly to play this “masks are optional” game when there’s a clear and relatively large portion of the leisure traveling public who aren’t eligible to be vaccinated.
@JC
The root of the CDC guidance is that if you took the steps to get vaccinated you have protected yourself. You are not meaningfully more at risk because an unmasked guest who is unvaccinated is in the elevator with you, etc. They are only putting themselves in danger.
At this point there is no excuse for not getting a vaccine in the US, you can walk up to any CVS or walgreens and get one right now if you haven't already. Glad to see responsible people like myself who have received both vaccines don't have to wear a mask this weekend during my Hyatt stay.
The US needs a digital passport for vaccines ASAP. I don’t understand how this policy can work/be implemented.
Actually Hyatt isn't necessarily first here, this mirrors Marriott's new policy as well, and follows AHLA's recommendation.
how will they know who is and isn't vaccinated? bracelets? lol