Disney lays off nearly 30,000 employees due to the epidemic

Disneyland in California has been closed since March due to the outbreak of the new coronavirus. Although the Disney World theme park in Florida reopened on a limited basis in July, Disneyland in California remains closed. Now, Disney is making large-scale layoffs in its parks, experiences and products departments, laying off up to 28,000 employees, and mentioned the ongoing closure of Disneyland in California.

Josh D'Amaro, chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, disclosed the news in a statement. The statement read: "Given the long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, including limited capacity due to physical distancing requirements and continued uncertainty about the duration of the pandemic - uncertainty exacerbated by the unwillingness of the State of California to lift restrictions and allow Disneyland to reopen - we have made the very difficult decision to begin reducing our workforce at all levels of Parks, Experiences and Products by furloughing non-working Cast Members beginning in April, while paying health benefits."

Disney's layoffs due to the epidemic mean that 28,000 domestic staff in the United States will be laid off, 67% of whom are part-time employees. Disney said it is discussing layoffs with affected employees and unions representing some employees.