Disney Announces Vaccinations Are Now Required For U.S. Cast Members

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The Walt Disney Company has just announced that select employees located within the United States — including some of those who work at Walt Disney World and Disneyland — will be required to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in order to work at any of the U.S. sites.

Related: Disney Parks and The Muppets Encourage Vaccinations

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If you are a salaried or non-union hourly employee within the United States, in order to continue working for the company, you must now get the vaccine. Per Scott Gustin on Twitter:

BREAKING: Disney has informed employees and Cast Members the company is “now requiring that all salaried and non-union hourly employees in the U.S. working at any of our sites be fully vaccinated.”

Spectrum News 13 also released information regarding this new requirement from Disney. Their report explained that all salaried and non-union hourly employees working at any of the company’s U.S. sites must receive the vaccine in order to continue working for the company.

Disney released a statement to Spectrum News saying:

“At The Walt Disney Company, the safety and well-being of our employees during the pandemic has been and continues to be a top priority.”

Keep in mind that employees who are not yet vaccinated and are working on-site in the U.S. will have 60 days to comply and proof of vaccination will be required — with certain limited exceptions.

Additionally, if you are planning to apply to the company, Disney confirmed that new hires will need to be vaccinated before they start their employment.

disneyland cast member
Credit: Disney

It is no secret that Disney has continued to stay in line with the most updated CDC guidelines, consistently monitoring any safety protocols that have been put in place at the company. In fact, per Spectrum News 13, Disney said their recent decision was based on the latest recommendations from scientists, health officials, and their own medical professionals.

Disney told Spectrum News 13:

“Vaccines are the best tool we have to help control this global pandemic and protect our employees.”

The Walt Disney Company is currently in talks with the unions that represent its employees about the requirement.

Welcome Back Cast members
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As far as those who work for Disney outside of the United States, the company is continuing to develop protocols. Per Scott Gustin:

The company is currently developing plans and protocols for its employees outside of the U.S.

Per VarietyDisney’s full statement reads:

“At The Walt Disney Company, the safety and well-being of our employees during the pandemic has been and continues to be a top priority,” the company said in a statement. “Toward that end, and based on the latest recommendations of scientists, health officials and our own medical professionals that the COVID-19 vaccine provides the best protection against severe infection, we are requiring that all salaried and non-union hourly employees in the U.S. working at any of our sites be fully vaccinated. Employees who aren’t already vaccinated and are working on-site will have 60 days from today to complete their protocols and any employees still working from home will need to provide verification of vaccination prior to their return, with certain limited exceptions. We have also begun conversations around this topic with the unions representing our employees under collective bargaining agreements. In addition, all new hires will be required to be fully vaccinated before beginning employment. Vaccines are the best tool we all have to help control this global pandemic and protect our employees.”

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This requirement comes after Disney announced that Cast Members who receive (or received) their vaccine shot between January 1, 2021, and September 30, 2021, are eligible to receive four hours of compensation.

This also comes right after both Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort officially announced a huge change in their health and safety protocols as they are staying in line with the new CDC face mask recommendations.

Inside the Magic will keep you updated as we get information.

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It seems as though companies requiring employees to get the vaccine is becoming the new norm as Walmart as recently announced that corporate staff must get the COVID-19 vaccine. Per Wall Street Journal:

Walmart Inc. is requiring corporate staffers and regional managers to get vaccinated for Covid-19 and is reinstating a mask mandate for workers in U.S. counties deemed at high risk of viral transmission.

cast member
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Both Google and Facebook have also recently announced that if employees wish to return to the company’s campus, they must be vaccinated. Per CNN:

Google and Facebook on Wednesday became two of the first major Silicon Valley firms to say they will require employees to be vaccinated when they return to the company’s campuses.

disneyland resort cast members
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In regard to the Walt Disney Company and COVID-19, they have been an advocate for the vaccine for months now as both Walt Disney World and Disneyland were considered vaccination sites and have continued to encourage both Guests and Cast Members to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

For more information on the COVID-19 vaccine, visit the official CDC website here.

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