Walt Disney Co. blasted California’s new protocols for reopening theme parks, saying the strict guidance would significantly complicate the company’s efforts to reopen Disneyland. Disneyland, the company’s flagship park, has been shut for seven months because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the longest stretch since it opened 65 years ago. The state’s health and human services secretary, Mark Ghaly, on Tuesday announced guidelines that said large theme parks like Disneyland can reopen at limited capacity once nearby community spread of the new coronavirus has been officially deemed “minimal.”The announcement followed months of complaints from Disney and other theme-park operators against Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, for not outlining how and when parks might reopen. In response to the new guidelines, Disneyland Resort President Ken Potrock pointed to the company’s record in reopening theme parks in Florida, Asia and Europe, as well as what he called inconsistent standards for different California businesses.

Source: Wall Street Journal October 20, 2020 22:03 UTC