Disney postpones the plains to reopen the Southern California theme parks in mid-July until it receives guidelines from the state.
The company initially hoped to reopen Disneyland and Disney California Adventure in Anaheim on July 17 after enduring a four-month closure.
However, California indicated that it would not issue guidelines until after the 4th of July.
In a statement, Disney announced, “Given the time required for us to bring thousands of cast members back to work and restart our business, we have no choice but to delay the reopening of our theme parks and resort hotels until we receive approval from government officials.”
Disney has not yet provide a new reopening date, as all parks closed due to the coronavirus pandemic requires government approval.
Governor Gavin Newsom’s spokesperson said that the governor “appreciates Disney’s responsiveness to his concerns about reopening amid the recent increases in COVID-19 infections across many Southern California counties.”
“The governor, the state and our public health experts continue to be in contact with the company and their workers — as well as other theme parks in the state — as we track and combat the spread of the virus.”
Disney also mentioned that they are in the middle of negotiating agreements with employee unions, some of which have expressed their concern about employee safety when the theme parks reopen.
So far, the company had signed agreements with enhanced safety protocols with employee union affiliates representing more than 11,000 employees.
The planned July 23 reopening of the Grand Californian and Paradise Pier hotels will also be delayed, but the Downtown Disney District restaurant and shopping area will proceed to reopen on July 9 as planned.
The company said that the plans to reopen Disney World in Florida on July 11 will proceed, while the Disney resorts in Shanghai and Hong Kong have already reopened.