Disney Parks Chief Medical Officer discusses possible safety measures

Disney Parks Chief Medical Officer Dr. Pamela Hymel outlined some of the procedures and safety measures Disney is evaluating when it comes to reopening parks in an open letter on Disney Parks Blog.

Disney CEO Bob Chapek today announced that Shanghai Disney Resort will begin the phased reopening of Shanghai Disneyland on May 11.

Hymel said Disney evaluating several new and enhanced safety measures to “do our part towards helping us stay well while we work, stay, and play at a Disney resort and a Disney store. I’m also working closely with the US Travel Association on a set of guidelines the travel industry may tailor to their individual businesses to help demonstrate that safety of travelers is a top focus.”

According to Hymel some of the ways being examined include:

• Phased reopening: This includes a gradual reopening and/or partial reopening of certain locations. For example, the opening of retail and dining locations prior to the opening of our theme parks.
• Physical distancing and capacity measures: “As you can imagine, managing guest density in queues, restaurants, hotels, ride vehicles and other facilities throughout the park and across the resort is a major focus, as we implement physical distancing guidelines based on guidance from health authorities, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and appropriate government agencies. This will likely include implementation of guest capacity measures to comply with state and federal guidelines. We’re also exploring ways to use technology to aid us in these efforts, like with our Play Disney Parks App and through virtual queues at Disneyland and Walt Disney World.”
• Cleanliness and sanitization: Increased cleaning and disinfection, determining where that should take place (for example, in high-traffic areas), and the cleaning products and processes that should be used.
• Screening and prevention support: We’ll follow guidance from the government and the medical community regarding enhanced screening procedures and prevention measures, including those related to personal protective equipment (PPE), such as face coverings. Some measures, like adding hand sanitizers and hand washing stations across our resorts, have already been implemented.
• Cast training: Emphasizing strong culture of health and safety amongst cast members, and will continue to provide new training and reinforcement as we get closer to reopening.