With Walt Disney World closed indefinitely due to the coronavirus pandemic, a Florida task force has set guidelines for reopening the amusement parks once virus conditions are abated.
The group shared its initial report on Tuesday and it included reopening rules for restaurants, movie theaters, hotels and other closed businesses.
Two phases are in place for Disney World to allow visitors back inside the park. The first calls for 50 percent capacity, and when conditions further improve, 75 percent capacity will be allowed. However, there is not a set date for either of the phases as pandemic conditions remain hard to predict.
The report recommends that markers be set six feet apart at ride queues to allow for social distancing, a precaution many grocery stores and essential businesses have adopted. Visitors who are 65 years and older and at a higher risk for contracting coronavirus will be encouraged to stay at home.
Disney World staff will be required to wear face masks and regularly wipe down and disinfect surfaces and railings. Employees will need to have their temperatures taken before working their shifts, and anyone who has a temperature above 100.4 degrees will be sent home.
Touch-less hand sanitizing stations will be added to every ride’s entry and exit, ticketing area and turnstile.
The Florida task force is made up of 44 people, including Disney executives, the CEO of the Orlando Magic NBA team and members of the local business community. The same guidelines apply to Universal Studios Orlando.
Losing revenue over its closed parks, the Walt Disney Co. announced earlier in April that it would have to furlough 43,000 employees.
