On May 20 many independent retail shops and restaurants will be reopening at Disney Springs, however Disney owned shops and restaurants will not.

However Eric Clinton, president of UNITE HERE, Local 362 told Hollywood Reporter writer Ryan Walker this past week that Disney owned outlets will open up starting May 27, 2020. The union president told Walker, “The next phase will start seven days later when Disney retail shops, such as World of Disney Store, and Disney eateries reopen … For that, an additional 59 custodians will report back to work on May 24.”

This would be welcomed news for the many Cast Members who are currently furloughed, however there has been no official word from Disney confirming the opening.

Clinton said that Disney is treating the safety of their guests and Cast Members “with the utmost seriousness.” He also said that all guests and employees will be required to wear masks. In addition, “Disney will provide employees with three washable masks. Guests will have their temperatures checked, and plexiglass dividers have been installed at registers. Guests will swipe their own payments cards, as they will no longer be handled by employees. And custodians will be retrained to pay attention to high-touch areas.” 

“In addition, park employees will do self-assessments at home for symptoms of the virus before their shift, the company providing thermometers. No discipline will occur if employees miss work due to possible illness. What’s more, any park employee who contracts the virus will be paid up to two weeks to quarantine.”

It was previously reported that Disney has created a new global training for all Cast Members which includes enhanced cleaning and sanitation, proper social distancing, and other safety measures. “The company will also hold monthly safety meetings, with which the union will be involved,” said Clinton.