Disneyland Paris to reopen in June as France eases Covid-19 restrictions

Europe's biggest tourist attraction has been closed since October 30

Visitors and staff wearing protective face masks at Disneyland Paris on July 15, 2020. The theme park will reopen on June 17, 2021 after months of closure because of Covid-19. AFP

Disneyland Paris, Europe's biggest tourist attraction, said on Monday it would reopen on June 17 as France eases Covid-19 restrictions.

The theme park, which employs 17,000 people, closed between March 13 and July 15 in 2020 and has been shut again since October 30.

It has had to cancel its reopening plans twice because of the ongoing pandemic.

"We are pleased to announce that Disneyland Paris will reopen on June 17," the park said, and added that it will follow "enhanced health and safety measures".

Initially, Disneyland Paris had hoped to re-admit visitors in February, before setting April 2 as its new reopening date, which was also cancelled.

In April, the site began hosting mass Covid-19 vaccinations as France accelerated its inoculation drive.

On Monday, the theme park said it would require guests over age 6 to wear face masks.

Attendance would be limited, and advance ticketing and reservations are required.

Depending on Covid-19 guidance from the authorities, some attractions could be shut or modified, it said.

A union source at Disneyland said earlier this year that management expects a return to pre-pandemic levels of activity only in 2022.

The Disney group has announced 32,000 job cuts at its theme park activities worldwide, mostly in the US, because of the impact of the coronavirus.