Due to COVID-19... Disneyland to Lay Off 28,000 Employees Amid 'Harsh Cuts'

Tokyo Disneyland, which had been closed since the end of February due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, resumed operations on July 1. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Eun-young] Due to COVID-19, approximately 28,000 layoffs are expected at Disneyland. The company stated that two-thirds of these workers will be part-time employees.

According to major foreign media on the 29th, Josh D'Amaro, Chairman of Disney's Theme Park Division, said, "We have made the very difficult decision to begin workforce reductions in the theme park sector." As a result, about 28,000 employees in the theme park division are expected to be laid off. Chairman D'Amaro stated that two-thirds of those affected will be part-time workers.

The Washington Post reported, "Disney's U.S. theme park workforce numbers about 200,000, and 14% of the total are targeted for layoffs."

Disney cited management uncertainties due to the COVID-19 situation and restrictions on theme park attendance as reasons for the layoffs.

Disney theme parks recorded losses of approximately $2 billion (2.3389 trillion KRW) in the second quarter due to the impact of COVID-19.

Following the global spread of COVID-19, Disney closed Disneyland in Anaheim, California, and Disneyland in Orlando, Florida, starting mid-March.

After the easing of COVID-19 lockdowns, the parks reopened in July, but due to social distancing and other quarantine guidelines limiting attendance, they faced significant challenges in returning to normal operations.

Disneyland in California has also been unable to open for over six months due to health guidelines from California state authorities.

Chairman D'Amaro criticized, "The layoffs became even more unavoidable because California has not allowed reopening," adding, "California is reluctant to lift regulations to allow Disneyland to reopen."

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