News / Trending

Disney CEO says face masks will likely be required to enter parks

Christine Hogg

05-13-2020 3:18 pm

Christine Hogg

Christine Hogg is the Associate Digital Editor at PAX Global Media. Prior to joining PAX, she obtained her Honours BA in Journalism from the University of Toronto. Upon graduating, she went on to write for several travel publications while travelling the world. Her longest trip was a three-week stint in Europe, and the shortest was a 16-hour adventure in Iceland. Get in touch: christine@paxglobalmedia.com.

Face masks will likely be a requirement to enter any Disney park, says the company's CEO, Bob Chapek.

According to the Associated Press, Disney's CEO says that both guests and crew will need to wear masks once the parks reopen for business due to COVID-19. Both Walt Disney World in Florida and Disneyland Resort in California remain closed.

Disney began closing its theme parks at the end of January, starting in Asia with Shanghai Disney (Jan 25th) and Hong Kong Disneyland (Jan 26th). Disneyland in California, Disneyland Paris and Walt Disney World were all closed by March 15th, with Disney Cruise Line suspending sailings.

Shanghai Disney reopened on May 11th, with strict health measures in place, including mandatory face masks, social distancing, and temperature screenings.

Walt Disney World, Florida. Photo: Michael Pihach/Pax Global Media.

There is currently no exact reopening date for either U.S. park.

However, standard theme park tickets have gone on sale starting July 1st. The company also made public its intent to begin a phased reopening of the Disney Springs shopping complex on May 20th. Summertime is peak operating season for the park, and when tickets can be the most expensive.

"Upon reopening, theme parks, Disney Resort hotels, restaurants, attractions, experiences and other offerings may be modified and will be limited in capacity and subject to limited availability or closure, based on direction from health experts and government officials to promote physical distancing," reads a statement on the company's website.

Last week, Disney's chief medical officer reported that Disney is “evaluating several new and enhanced safety measures” to re-open its parks, resorts and stores to the public. Occupancy caps, crowd control, physical distancing, and sanitation zones are all possible options that Disney is currently exploring.

On Apr. 30th, Disney announced that it would be selling non-medical, reusable cloth face masks featuring favorite Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars characters in the U.S., available for pre-order now on shopDisney.com.

For the latest news on how Disney is responding to COVID-19, click here.

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