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.
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)
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