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Disney set to furlough employees amid COVID-19 pandemic

Disney said its employees will be paid through April 18.
Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse at the premiere of World of Color water show at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., Thursday, June 10, 2010. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

ORLANDO, Fla. (WTSP) — Disney said it will furlough its employees, who do not have "essential" jobs at the company, as the COVID-19 pandemic has the nation on pause.

Disney said its employees will be paid through April 18. Employees have been getting full pay and benefits since the parks announced their closures last month, according to the Walt Disney Company.

“The COVID-19 pandemic is having a devastating impact on our world with untold suffering and loss and has required all of us to make sacrifices. Over the last few weeks, mandatory decrees from government officials have shut down a majority of our businesses,” Disney said in a statement.

Disney employees who are impacted by the furlough will work for Disney and get full health care benefits, The Walt Disney Company said.

Disney did not say how many people would be furloughed, according to NBC News.

Orlando's Disney World theme parks closed March 15 to help limit the spread of COVID-19.

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