Disney to Sack 28,000 Theme Park Staff as Visitor Attendance Plunges

He said management had tried to avoid layoffs by cutting expenses, suspending projects and streamlining operations. The company had continued to pay health benefits for furloughed workers since April.

"However, we simply cannot responsibly stay fully staffed while operating at such limited capacity," D'Amaro said.

Walt Disney World in Florida had employed 77,000 full- and part-time workers before the pandemic, while Disneyland in California employed 32,000.

Read also: Coronavirus Outbreaks Inside a Norwegian Cruise Ship

Disney did not disclose how many other US employees work in the parks unit, which includes consumer products, cruise lines, and other businesses.

Last week, Disney urged California officials to issue guidelines that would allow Disneyland to welcome visitors again.

On Tuesday, Dr. Mark Ghaly, California's health secretary, said the state had taken a science-based approach to its reopening that aimed to "minimize the health and economic risks that would be caused by opening and shutting repeatedly". 

(Writer: Lisa Richwine | Editors: David Gregorio, Stephen Coates)

Source: https://www.reuters.com/article/disney-parks-layoffs/disney-to-lay-off-about-28000-parks-unit-employees-due-to-coronavirus-hit-idINKBN26L08W