Disney Heiress Criticizes Management Over US Case Surge and Amusement Park Reopening... Will Sleep Come?

"Concerned About Protecting Customers and Employees from COVID-19"
Significant Increase in Cases in Florida, Home to Disney World

Heiress of the Walt Disney family, Abigail Disney / Photo by Abigail Disney Facebook capture

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Lim Juhyung] Abigail Disney, heiress of the Walt Disney family, criticized the Disney management for deciding to reopen the amusement parks despite the risk of a resurgence of COVID-19, asking, "Do you sleep at night?"

Abigail, granddaughter of Roy Oliver Disney, co-founder of the Walt Disney Company, appeared on the US 'CNBC' broadcast on the 16th (local time) and said, "I cannot understand the decision to reopen Disney World."

She pointed out, "I am very worried that reopening Disney World could lead to the spread of COVID-19," adding, "I am baffled as to how the company thinks it can protect customers and employees."

She continued, "For employees with underlying conditions such as asthma or diabetes, reopening Disney World is a very uncomfortable situation," and criticized, "The management must be well aware of the employees' working conditions and the unstable situation."

When asked if she had conveyed these concerns to the management, she replied, "Communication is not active."

Earlier, in April, Abigail also criticized Disney management's COVID-19 related policies. At that time, when the management laid off a large number of theme park workers in response to COVID-19, she called it "management's greed."

Last year, she also criticized Disney management for neglecting the poor working conditions of employees while taking high salaries.

Meanwhile, on the 11th, Disney opened parts of the Walt Disney World facilities in Orlando, Florida, including Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom. Subsequently, on the 15th, the theme parks Epcot and Disney Hollywood Studios were reopened one after another. Visitors must comply with safety and hygiene measures such as wearing masks while using the facilities.

Some have pointed out that reopening amusement parks amid rising daily COVID-19 cases in the US is risky. As of the 14th, the daily confirmed cases by state were highest in Texas with 10,745 cases, followed by Florida, where Disney World is located, with 9,194 cases.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.