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COVID-19 testing site opens at Disney World for cast members, residents

KISSIMMEE, Fla. — A state-run COVID-19 testing site will be set up near Walt Disney World to provide cast members, their families and the community better access to testing and safely before entering the parks.

Actors’ Equity, which represents thousands of Disney cast members, said Wednesday evening that with the testing site, the union’s executive committee has signed off on the memorandum of understanding with Disney to permit performers to return.

“Coronavirus

“We have been consistent that testing is an important part of ensuring a safe workplace for Equity performers, and today, I’m pleased to see that Disney World has agreed,” Kate Shindle, President of Actors’ Equity Association, said in a news release. “With the news that Disney will make testing available for Equity performers and others in the park, I’m happy to announce that Equity’s executive committee has signed a memorandum of understanding with Disney for Equity performers to return.”

The testing site is located at the Disney Maingate Complex in Kissimmee, 3010 Maingate Lane, and will be open daily from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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

In a statement, Disney said, “We have offered the location to help with community testing and any suggestion that this has been done as a result of any one union is unfounded. The Florida Division of Emergency Management will operate the location which is available to Cast Members and their immediate families as well as Florida residents. Our actions support all Cast and our community at large.”

The state-run site will be available for cast members, operating participant employees and immediate family members such as spouses, domestic partners, parents and children who are at least 2 years old.

Registration is available at https://disneycovid19test.com.

On June 23, Disney announced plans to recall cast members for rehearsals, but the union on June 25 released a statement that actors must be tested since they cannot practice social distancing throughout their workday. The following day, Disney World rescinded its recall notices of union members.

Editor’s note: This story was updated to clarify who may utilize the testing site.

Adam Poulisse, WFTV.com

Adam Poulisse joined WFTV in November 2019.