Disney World employees petition to delay reopening

As the number of coronavirus cases surge in Florida, more than 7,000 people have signed an online petition urging Disney and government officials to reconsider the opening of Disney World next month.

“This virus is not gone, unfortunately it’s only become worse in this state,” the petition, which was posted on MoveOn.org on Sunday, states. “Having our theme parks remain closed until cases are steadily decreasing would keep our guests, our employees and their families safe. Re-opening the theme parks is only putting our guests, employees, and families at higher risk for contracting COVID-19.”

The petition comes as coronavirus cases are rising rapidly in the state. The Florida Department of Health reported 5,508 new cases overnight, according to data published by the agency. The 5.3{3c4481f38fc19dde56b7b1f4329b509c88239ba5565146922180ec5012de023f} increase from one day to the next brings the total in the state to 109,014. 

“The safety and well being of our cast members and guests are at the forefront of our planning, and we are in active dialogue with our unions on the extensive health and safety protocols, following guidance from public health experts, which we plan to implement as we move toward our proposed, phased reopening,” Disney said in a statement to CNBC.

Disney shares, which have a market value of $202.2 billion, fell about 4{3c4481f38fc19dde56b7b1f4329b509c88239ba5565146922180ec5012de023f} in trading Wednesday.

As with many online petitions, it is difficult to determine if signees are actually Walt Disney employees or if the petition is union-backed. There is no mention in the petition itself of any affiliation with an employee union.

Representatives the local Walt Disney World employee union were not immediately available to comment.

Disney’s theme parks employ around 70,000 people and are expected to begin a phased reopening on July 11. Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom would be the first parks to open, followed by Hollywood Studios and Epcot on July 15.

Already rival Universal Studios in Orlando has reopened its parks. However, the opening has come with a tepid response from parkgoers. Photographs on social media of the two parks show limited attendance. Universal does not share its attendance numbers with the public.

The park also laid off an unspecified number of theme park employees Tuesday, as tourism levels have not returned to Orlando, according to several media reports.

Representatives for Universal Studios were not immediately available to comment.

Disney has already reopened parks in Shanghai and Hong Kong, and has dates set for reopening its Paris and Japan-based locations. The company has announced a number of safety measures that will be put in place upon reopening in Florida including the requirement that masks be worn, that guests remain social distanced and an increase in sanitation stations. 

“While theme parks are a great way to relax and enjoy free time, it is a non-essential business; it is not fair to the people who work there to risk their lives, especially if they are at risk or have family members who are at risk,” the petition reads. “People are more important than making a profit.”

Disclosure: Comcast is the parent company of NBCUniversal and CNBC.