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Disney pushes ahead with Hollywood Studios, Epcot reopening amid pandemic

ORLANDO, Fla. — Disney World continued with its reopening plans on Wednesday with the opening of two more parks.

Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios reopened to the public today for the first time in months.

Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom were the first parks to let guests back in on Saturday.

Cast members welcomed and thanked guests for coming back to the parks despite the new safety precautions put in place.

The reopening also comes despite the state’s increase in COVID-19 cases.

Read: ‘We’re ready for this new world’: Walt Disney World reopens two parks amid pandemic

On the other side of the world, however; Hong Kong Disneyland will close its park again after the country reported more than 50 new cases of coronavirus. Meanwhile, Disneyland Paris is set to push forward with its reopening after being closed for four months.

Despite Florida not having a statewide mask mandate in place, Disney is requiring all guests over the age of 2 to wear a face mask.

Fans will also notice a slew of other changes upon their reentry, such as temperature checks, hand washing stations and reminders to wear your mask.

Read: Walt Disney World releases list of safety precautions ahead of reopening

The parks also introduced new metal detectors to limit bag searches, and to enter the park, guests’ pass or magic band will be scanned, with no need to for a finger print.

Cast members will be wearing masks and some will even have face shields if they are working closely with guests.

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings said if hospitals start to exceed capacity in the region and COVID-19 cases are being linked to Disney or any of the other theme parks, he will ask them to close.

Read: Demings: ‘I will not hesitate’ to close theme parks, other businesses in Orange County if linked to COVID-19 outbreaks