Orange County, Florida, mandates masks ahead of MLS, NBA arrivals

On Thursday, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings announced he's signing an order that requires people to wear masks in public following coronavirus spikes in the area. 

As Ryan Gillespie of the Orlando Sentinel explained, the order begins this Saturday and remains in place indefinitely. People must wear face coverings as they enter establishments, but can take them off while eating or drinking. 

Gillespie added that Florida announced a new daily record of 3,207 positive coronavirus cases on Thursday. 

Demings' decree comes as both Major League Soccer and the NBA are preparing to return to action in Orlando. MLS clubs are scheduled to convene at the Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World beginning June 24, with a target start date for an upcoming 26-team tournament set for July 8. 

NBA teams will journey to Orlando on or around July 7. Games begin on July 30. 

D.C. United goalkeeper Bill Hamid lashed out at MLS on Monday regarding the league's strict guidelines for how players will live, work and isolate while in Orlando. On Thursday, Atlanta United became at least the fifth MLS club to confirm a positive COVID-19 test. 

Meanwhile, Brooklyn Nets star guard Kyrie Irving and others have questioned the NBA playing games and quarantining away from family members and loved ones amid the uncontrolled virus outbreak and racial tensions that spread throughout the world after the killing of George Floyd on May 25. 

Earlier this week, WWE temporarily suspended taping at its Performance Center located in Orlando after a talent tested positive for the coronavirus. Fans who attended Monday's edition of "Raw" were seen not wearing masks at that show.