February 11, Disney held their first-quarter earnings report meetings. With the COVID-19 vaccination rolling out, one topic of discussion was if the mask requirements will continue at Walt Disney World. According to Disney CEO, Bob Chapek, we can expect to see the mask requirements last through 2021, but hopes masks won’t be needed by 2022.
As reported by OrlandoSentinel: As the COVID-19 vaccine is rolled out, Chapek said he envisions some form of social distancing and mask-wearing to remain in place for all of 2021. “That’s our expectation,” he said Thursday during a first-quarter earnings call that disclosed the parks and consumer products endured a $119 million operating income loss compared with a profit of $2.52 billion a year earlier.
What could be a “game changer” for Disney’s theme parks rebound was Thursday’s news that vaccines could potentially be available by April for anyone who wants them, Chapek said. “Will there be some overlap until we know that we have hit herd immunity? Sure there will,” Chapek said “Do we also believe that we’ll be in the same state of six-feet social distancing and mask-wearing in ‘22? Absolutely not.”
