Shanghai Disneyland cast members told to wear face masks and avoid guest contact ahead of next week's reopening as China emerges from pandemic

Advertisement
Sophia AnkelMay 9, 2020, 14:23 IST
Shanghai Disneyland cast members told to wear face masks and avoid guest contact ahead of next week's reopening as China emerges from pandemic

A composite image of staff at Shanghai Disneytown on May 4, 2020.Getty Images

  • Shanghai Disneyland will become the first Disney theme park to open its doors to visitors after it was forced to shut down in January because of the coronavirus outbreak.
  • Disney has announced it will reopen the main theme park on May 11, after the "successful reopening" of a few shopping areas in the park earlier in March.
  • But park authorities have put in place new rules to ensure the safety of guests and staff, including limited attendance, social-distancing measures, and increased disinfection.
  • Visitors must also present a government-issued Health QR code before entering the park, and are required to wear face masks at all times, except when dining.
  • Staff will be given personal protective equipment (PPE) during work and will be trained on "contactless guest interaction."
  • Photos show how it plans to reopen its facilities to thousands of visitors every day.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Shanghai Disneyland announced this week that it will reopen its main theme park, three months after it closed its doors due to the coronavirus outbreak.

But the park's reopening is accompanied by a new set of strict measures, that include limited attendance, social distancing measures, and an "increased frequency of sanitization and disinfection," according to a press release.

The park announced earlier this week it would reopen on May 11, and tickets for the opening day went on sale Friday at 8 a.m. local time before quickly selling out.

As one of the first theme parks to reopen around the world, Disneyland Shanghai will likely serve as an example for Disney's and others' parks as they plan reopenings.

Scroll down to see how Disney's biggest international park plans to reopen its doors during the coronavirus pandemic.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Advertisement

The park will become the first Disney venue to reopen again — possibly providing an insight into how theme parks can restart their operations after worldwide lockdowns.

The park will become the first Disney venue to reopen again — possibly providing an insight into how theme parks can restart their operations after worldwide lockdowns.
A tourist and a toddler wear protective masks by a closed gate of the main theme park of Shanghai Disneyland Park on March 10, 2020. Yifan Ding/Getty Images

Theme parks remain closed in Disney's US locations along with venues in Hong Kong and Tokyo.

CEO Bob Chapek said on Tuesday that while a plan of how to reopen Shanghai Disneyland has been well underway, it is still "too early to predict" when the company will open its other theme parks, including major venues in Central Florida and Southern California, The Washington Post reported.

Source: BBC

Disney's staff members will receive personal protective equipment (PPE) during work. They will also be trained on "contactless guest interaction," which includes cleaning and social distancing.

Disney's staff members will receive personal protective equipment (PPE) during work. They will also be trained on "contactless guest interaction," which includes cleaning and social distancing.
A tourist at Disney town as Disneyland imposes social distancing measures on May 5, 2020 in Shanghai, China. in Shanghai, China. Hu Chengwei/Getty Images

Source: CNN

Advertisement

The theme park will also increase disinfection measures, distributing hand sanitizers at ride entrances and exits and cleaning high-touch locations as much as possible.

The theme park will also increase disinfection measures, distributing hand sanitizers at ride entrances and exits and cleaning high-touch locations as much as possible.
Staff at Disney town as Disneyland imposes social distancing measures on May 5, 2020 in Shanghai, China. Hu Chengwei/Getty Images

Source: BBC

Guests will also have their temperatures screened and are required to wear face masks or coverings during the entirety of their visit, except when dining.

Guests will also have their temperatures screened and are required to wear face masks or coverings during the entirety of their visit, except when dining.
A security man checks a tourist's body temperature with a temperature gun by an entrance of Shanghai Disneyland Park on March 10, 2020. Yifan Ding/Getty Images

Source: CNN

Advertisement

Before entering the park, visitors must present a government-issued Health QR code, which is used as part of a contact tracing system across China.

Before entering the park, visitors must present a government-issued Health QR code, which is used as part of a contact tracing system across China.
Shanghai Disneyland sets up "social distancing" queues for imminent reopening on May 4, 2020. Hu Chengwei/Getty Images

The "health code" service was developed for the Chinese government to keep track of people as they start moving around freely. It includes peoples' health status and can be scanned by authorities. This is how it works.

Source: CNBC

Social distancing measures have also been put in place and crowd sizes will be monitored at restaurants, shops, and elsewhere. Rides will also "be loaded to promote social distancing," the company said.

Social distancing measures have also been put in place and crowd sizes will be monitored at restaurants, shops, and elsewhere. Rides will also "be loaded to promote social distancing," the company said.
Sanghai Disneyland sets up "social distancing" queues for imminent reopening on May 4, 2020. Hu Chengwei/Getty Images

Source: CNN

Advertisement

Under government regulations, the park — which has a capacity of 80,000 — will be forced to first operate at 30% capacity, or 24,000 visitors.

Under government regulations, the park — which has a capacity of 80,000 — will be forced to first operate at 30% capacity, or 24,000 visitors.
Tourists walk on a pedestrian footbridge in Shanghai Disneyland Park on March 10, 2020. Yifan Ding/Getty Images

But Chapek said the park will first operate below 24,000 visitors and then slowly ramp-up attendance over the next few weeks, according to CNBC.

Source: CNBC

One of the new measures will include limited and "pulsed" attendance that will be controlled with an advanced online reservation system.

One of the new measures will include limited and "pulsed" attendance that will be controlled with an advanced online reservation system.
Tourists at Disney town as Disneyland imposes social distancing measures on May 5, 2020. Hu Chengwei/Getty Images

"Guests are required to purchase admission tickets valid on a selected date only and Annual Pass holders must make a reservation prior to arrival," Disney said on its website.

Source: Shanghai Disneyland

Advertisement

But the reopening will come with a new set of rules for both guests and staff, with the company ensuring its visitors that it will only run under "enhanced safety measures."

But the reopening will come with a new set of rules for both guests and staff, with the company ensuring its visitors that it will only run under "enhanced safety measures."
Tourists at Disney town on May 5, 2020 in Shanghai, China. Hu Chengwei/Getty Images

Source: CNN

The opening of Shanghai Disneyland's main theme park comes after it already allowed visitors to enter certain shopping and dining attractions at a limited capacity in March.

The opening of Shanghai Disneyland's main theme park comes after it already allowed visitors to enter certain shopping and dining attractions at a limited capacity in March.
Tourists observe social distancing measures at Disney town on May 5, 2020 in Shanghai. Hu Chengwei/Getty Images

According to the company website, the decision to open the main part of the theme park —which includes all the rollercoasters — came after the "successful reopening" of a few shopping areas including Disneytown, Wishing Star Park, and Shanghai Disneyland Hotel on March 10.

Source: Shanghai Disneyland

Advertisement

Three months after Shanghai Disneyland closed its gates to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus, the theme park announced it will be reopening on May 11.

Three months after Shanghai Disneyland closed its gates to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus, the theme park announced it will be reopening on May 11.
Front gate of Shanghai Disneyland, which in January amid the spread of the new coronavirus on January 25, 2020. Kyodo News via Getty Images

Disney announced on January 24 that it would temporarily close its Shanghai attraction to control the COVID-19 outbreak.

CEO of The Walt Disney Company, Bob Chapek, said in a press release cited in CNN: "We know how much our guests have been looking forward to returning to Shanghai Disneyland, and our cast is excited to begin welcoming them back."

"As the park reopens with significantly enhanced health and safety measures, our guests will find Shanghai Disneyland as magical and memorable as ever," Chapek added.

Source: CNN

Next StoryThe best postpartum recovery products
Advertisement
Popular on BI
Latest Stories
View All Latest
Trending News
Buying Guides
Advertisement
Popular Categories
Trending Right Now

Copyright © 2024. Times Internet Limited. All rights reserved.For reprint rights. Times Syndication Service.