Local government demands Guests of Disney Park be tested for COVID by today

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

Hong Kong Disneyland closed its gates for the entire day Wednesday, and according to Disney’s website, it continues to be closed today. The site says that the decision to cease operations temporarily came from “an abundance of caution” related to a single confirmed case of a novel coronavirus infection among its visitors to the park on Sunday.

A similar scenario took place at Shanghai Disneyland only weeks ago. After that park’s closure, visitors inside the gates were subjected to mass testing by health care workers, per orders from government authorities.

When the positive result was discovered at Hong Kong Disneyland, it was announced that the park would close for the day on Wednesday. Unlike Disney’s U. S. parks, Hong Kong Disneyland is not wholly owned and operated by The Walt Disney Company. Disney’s fifth theme park to be built is owned by a joint venture company, Hongkong International Theme Parks Limited, the Hong Kong Government, and The Walt Disney Company.

The Guest who was positive after COVID testing had only recently come into the country from Indonesia and had complied with the mandatory quarantine for 21 days.

Because the government of Hong Kong, which is somewhat separate from the government of mainland China, has ownership in the Hong Kong Disneyland Park located in Lantau Island, decisions to close because of the pandemic, or for any other reason are not solely left to Disney, and this is even more obvious within the confines of the global coronavirus crisis. The Hong Kong government is instrumental in decisions about closures at Hong Kong Disneyland, and it is the entity responsible for Hong Kong laws and statutes related to COVID-19 and the measures implemented to help slow or stop the spread of the virus.

When the decision to close was made, the government also announced that visitors at Hong Kong Disneyland on Sunday, November 14 would be required to have COVID testing performed. That mandatory testing must be completed by today, Thursday, November 18.

Hong Kong Disneyland has seen multiple COVID related closures, beginning with its initial closure in early 2020 as the coronavirus outbreak was in its infancy. Only weeks later, every Disney Park had fallen victim to early pandemic closures in an effort to keep Guests and Cast Members safe.

Walt Disney World Paying Cast Members for Receiving COVID-19 Vaccine

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

According to a post on Unite Here Local 362’s Facebook page, Disney will be paying certain Walt Disney World Cast Members for obtaining one of the available COVID-19 vaccines.

In a press release attached to the post, the union which represents attractions and custodial Cast Members, amongst others, states that Cast Members will be paid four hours worth of pay for receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. Additionally, it mentions dates of January 1st, 2021 thru September 30, 2021, meaning Cast Members who have already been vaccinated should also be eligible for the additional pay.

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Union Says Cast Members Deserve the COVID-19 Vaccine Now

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

Walt Disney World began their phased reopening in the summer of 2020. With the safety precautions and limited capacity, we tend to feel safer at Disney than we do at locations such as the grocery store. On the flip side, Cast Members going to work everyday are in regular contact with the Disney crowds. Now, with the COVID-19 vaccinations rolling out, a Disney Union is speaking out saying they believe Cast Members deserve the vaccination now as essential employees for Orlando’s much needed tourism industry.

As reported by OrlandoSentinel: “Unite Here 362, a local that represents 9,000 Disney World custodians, ride attendants, food service workers and others, is pushing for Gov. Ron DeSantis to make all hospitality workers eligible to get the vaccine. The union held a news conference Friday to make its case.”

“Starting Monday, anyone 40 and older can get the vaccine at the Orange County Convention Center, which is already inoculating people in certain professions, including firefighters, teachers and law enforcement officials, regardless of their ages. Disney World union leaders argued theme park workers need to be added to that list, too. If tourism is essential to Florida’s economy, then tourism workers are essential and deserve to be a priority, said Eric Clinton, who leads 362.”

Disneyland Resort to Become COVID-19 Vaccine Site

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

The Happiest Place on Earth will soon become the Biggest COVID-19 Vaccination Site in Orange County as new plans for vaccine distribution have been established for California in hopes of lowering transmission rates.

Disneyland Resort in Anaheim will become the Super first Point-of-Dispensing site for COVID-19 vaccines for residents of Orange County, set to vaccinate thousands of residents daily. The site is expected to begin operations later this week alongside other large venues such as Dodger Stadium, which is switching from a COVID-19 testing site to a vaccination site.

Currently, only residents in Phase 1a can receive the vaccine—that is, residents age 75 or older.