Universal Studios Orlando is planning to reopen on June 5 after closing for more than two months in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Universal Orlando Chief Executive Officer John Sprouts submitted Universal's reopening proposal to the Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force on Thursday, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The task force unanimously voted to approve it. The Orlando theme park will welcome back employees on June 1, invite guests on June 3, and then reopen to the public on June 5.
The theme park, which has been temporarily closed since March 15, will operate at a lower capacity to start and increase that capacity as time goes on. There will also be enhanced safety and social distancing guidelines in place including mask and temperature check requirements upon entry, and employees will give out masks to any guest who doesn't have one.
There will be no valet parking, no post-show meet and greets, and interactive "play areas" and "mist areas" will be closed. Signs encouraging social distancing will be placed throughout the park. Employees will do a temperature check while at home and then will be checked again when they arrive at work, according to PEOPLE.
Orange County Mayor Jerry Demmings will now need to make a decision on the reopening on Friday and send it to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for approval.
This reopening news comes as both Universal Citywalk and Disney Springs have started their partial reopenings in Florida, with Disney's occurring this week and Universal's happening earlier this month. Governor DeSantis also approved Disney to submit a reopening plan, but it has not yet done so publicly.
