Abigail Disney told CNBC on Thursday that it does not understand Walt Disney’s decision to reopen his company’s theme parks in Florida, a state that is watching coronavirus cases soar.
“I am not seeing the same information that they are seeing, but given what I know … I am confused about how they think they can protect their guests and their employees,” said the Disney heiress in “Squawk Box.”
Disney, granddaughter of company co-founder Roy Disney, said reopening the parks near Orlando puts employees in an especially difficult position.
“I certainly know people who work there who are very uncomfortable, who have conditions like asthma and diabetes that put them at high risk, who literally decide whether they want to go back to work or buy food,” he said.
Disney’s gradual reopening of its Florida theme parks began on Saturday, with safety protocols like a mandatory mask policy and temperature detection. Capacity restrictions were also implemented.
Disney was among the first parks to close in Florida in mid-March when the nation’s Covid-19 outbreak accelerated. It was one of the last to reopen.
Last week, Disney Parks President Josh D’Amaro told CNBC that the company is feeling “really good” about the established safety precautions. “There is a lot of trust here, both from our cast members and from our guests, and we have a responsibility to deliver that trust,” D’Amaro said.
When asked if he conveyed some of his concerns to the entertainment company’s leadership, the philanthropist and activist said: “The lines of communication are not strong.”
– CNBC’s Sarah Whitten contributed to this report.
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