Disney mentioned final week the opening of its Disneyland theme park in California could be postponed however continues to maneuver forward with its July 11 Disney World reopening
Disney’s forged members and stage actors on the firm’s theme parks, significantly Disney World in Orlando, are pushing again in opposition to plans to reopen subsequent month because the coronavirus pandemic has proven indicators of surging in California and Florida.
One of the chief issues of the actors for Disney World stage performances in Orlando is that Disney has no plans to check forged members and staff for COVID-19 or supply to check.
Late final week, the Actor’s Equity Association — the U.S. labor union representing about 800 skilled actors at Disney World — condemned the Orlando theme park’s choice to maneuver ahead with its reopening after the corporate put the kibosh on plans to reopen its Disneyland theme park in California. (California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti on Monday retreated from earlier plans to reopen film theaters, live performance venues and theme parks within the state and metropolis, and referred to as for the re-closing of bars.)
The union significantly objects to the absence of clear COVID-19 testing protocols for performers and different park staff — particularly these anticipated to carry out on levels with out masks. “It is unclear how Walt Disney World can responsibly move toward reopening when coronavirus cases are much worse in Florida,” Mary McColl, govt director of Actors’ Equity Association, mentioned in a press release. “For weeks, we have made it clear to Disney that testing is a fundamental part of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for everyone, from the guests to the cast. It is deeply disturbing that while coronavirus cases in Florida surge, Disney is refusing to provide regular testing to one of the few groups of workers in the park who by the very nature of their jobs, cannot use personal protective equipment.”
“Now is the time for Disney to pause, focus on the science and put the safety of their actors and stage managers first by making regular testing available,” she continued.
A consultant for Disney didn’t instantly return TheWrap’s request for remark.
Despite a latest surge in new circumstances and hospitalizations in Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis mentioned final week that he wouldn’t roll again or halt plans for Disney World to start its phased reopening plan. Under the plan, the Magic Kingdom and the Animal Kingdom would open on July 11, adopted by Epcot and Hollywood Studios on July 15.
Disney’s California and Orlando theme parks have been closed since March 14, and consequently, Disney’s parks enterprise took a roughly $1 billion hit to working earnings throughout its most up-to-date quarter.
Shanghai Disneyland reopened to the general public final month after shutting its doorways for roughly three months, with a number of new insurance policies in place to implement social distancing and customer cleanliness.
Disney World is planning to implement related protocols for friends and staff (referred to as “cast members” in Disney-speak even when they aren’t onstage performers), requiring them to put on face masks, undergo temperature screenings earlier than coming into — along with at-home temperature checks — and obey bodily distancing pointers. Disney would additionally briefly cancel all parades, firework exhibits, character greetings and children play areas.
Joshua Carranza-Vick, with enter from different staff of California’s Disneyland, wrote “An Open Letter to the Bobs and Co.” demanding “access to on-site, voluntary COVID-19 testing” for all staff in addition to “access to on-site, voluntary COVID-19 antibody testing” for the rest of the pandemic.
They additionally referred to as for a contact tracing crew for the Disneyland resort, further paid sick depart and guidelines requiring any employee “discovered to have come into contact with a coworker who assessments optimistic for COVID-19 be instantly positioned on a paid fourteen day…
