Disneyland employees and frequent parkgoers gathered outside the gates to the theme park Saturday morning to rally for the reopening of parks in California.
More than 20 people came together, asking the state to allow the reopening of Disneyland and Universal Studios Hollywood. Most attendees wore masks and maintained social-distancing, according to footage from CBS Los Angeles.
“The cast members have always been here to support us and make us have a good time and we need to support them,” said Disneyland fan Jennifer Grafius in an interview with CBS Los Angeles. “It’s our turn to be out here hitting the pavement to get their jobs back.”
Both theme parks have been closed since mid-March, but their shopping and dining districts have been opened since the summer with approval under the county’s case tier system.
About a month ago, Disney Parks chairman Josh D’Amaro publicly pressured the state of California to reopen the theme park, stating local officials needed “to treat theme parks like you would other sectors and help us reopen.”
A couple of weeks later, Gov. Newsom held a press conference saying the state is working with the parks to establish guidelines for a safe reopening, but emphasized officials are in “no hurry.”
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Disney Parks Chief Medical Officer Dr. Pamela Hymel released a subsequent statement, insisting the company has taken the necessary steps to ensure operations can resume with minimal risks.
“The fact is, that since March, we have taken a robust science-based approach to responsibly reopening our parks and resorts across the globe,” she wrote.
“Our health and safety protocols were developed in consultation with epidemiologists and data scientists, and after considering guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and experts in local government and health agencies. All of our other theme parks both in the United States and around the world have been allowed to open on the strength of our proven ability to operate with responsible health and safety protocols.”