Petition to Keep Walt Disney World Theme Parks Closed Gains Momentum
As we previously reported here at MickeyBlog there are petitions gaining momentum on both coasts by Disney World cast members who have concerns about reopening the parks amidst a dramatic increase in COVID-19 cases.
According to a recent piece on FOX 23, a Walt Disney World petition that had 4,000 signatures at the beginning of the week now has over 10,000 signatures.
This comes alongside news we reported last night that Disneyland WILL NOT be opening the theme parks next month as planned. This is after Governor Gavin Newsom delayed plans to sign off on the reopening plans of the theme parks after California reported over 7,000 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday.
Disneyland’s news coupled with a sharp increase in new COVID-19 cases (over 5,000 yesterday alone) is prompting many locals and cast members to push for DIsney World to make the same decision.
The MoveOn.org petition states that the recent spikes in COVID-19 cases in Florida show that “it is clear that theme parks – a non-essential business – should not be planning to operate until the cases have gone down again.”
The petition reads, “This virus is not gone, unfortunately, it’s only become worse in this state.” It continues, “While theme parks are a great way to relax and enjoy free time, it is a non-essential business; it is not fair to the people who work there to risk their lives, especially if they are at risk or have family members who are at risk. People are more important than making a profit. Mayors, theme park executives, government officials — please hear what we are saying.”
However, it should be noted that there are a large number of cast members that are excited about returning to work after months of being furloughed. According to a recent piece in the Orlando Sentinel, Unite Here Local 362 told the Orlando Sentinel, ““Disney Springs has been open for over a month, and I haven’t heard of one news report or one cast member or one guest saying, ‘I got COVID 19.”
As per the current plan, Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom are slated to reopen on July 11th. Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios will follow opening four days later on July 15th.
In order to keep guests and Cast Members safe, Disney World has implemented a number of new safety protocols which includes, mandatory face masks and temperature checks, social distancing queues, no park hopping, temporary suspension of character meet and greets, parades and fireworks shows, limited park capacities.
This is a story that we’ll continue to follow closely here at MickeyBlog. Readers are encouraged to keep checking in with us for the latest news and updates.
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Source: Fox 35, Orlando Sentinel