Walt Disney World in Orlando reopened on Saturday as the US hit a new record in the number of Covid-19 cases, with Florida becoming the new epicentre.
For more than three months, Disney’s flagship theme park was closed due to the pandemic. It was the first in line for the company’s phased reopening, with the Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom parks now open, to be followed by Epcot and Hollywood Studios on July 15.
Disney has introduced safety measures to reduce the risk of spreading the disease, including temperature checks upon entry and the mandatory use of face coverings, unless one is swimming, eating or drinking. Disney employees are also required to wear masks.
There will be increased disinfection of common spaces and frequently touched surfaces.
Visitors must make reservations online beforehand to ensure entry, and they will not be allowed to go between the different parks.
The reopening is not without its critics. Around 19,000 people, among them workers at the park, signed a petition asking Disney to delay the reopening. In addition, the actors' union that represents 750 Walt Disney World performers has filed a grievance against the company, claiming retaliation against members over the union's demands to be tested for Covid-19.
Weeks into the global shutdowns caused by the pandemic, Disney Co suffered a total loss of $1.4 billion across its theme parks, retail stores and TV operations, as revealed in its financial results in May. By reopening Disney World, the company hopes to allay some of that damage.
However, coronavirus cases in the state continue to climb, with daily death rates approaching their worst period in early May. On Friday, deaths had reached 4,102, along with 11,433 new cases. Confirmed cases in the state are now up to 240,000.
Across the US, new infections are also on the rise, breaking single-day records with 68,000 new cases on Friday. The total number of cases in the US is up to 3.4 million.
In California, Disneyland, the company’s other major attraction, remains closed. Its reopening has been delayed beyond July as Governor Gavin Newsom has urged a slowing down of the lifting of restrictions. A new date has yet to be announced.
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The%20specs
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BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES
Saturday, May 16 (kick-offs UAE time)
Borussia Dortmund v Schalke (4.30pm)
RB Leipzig v Freiburg (4.30pm)
Hoffenheim v Hertha Berlin (4.30pm)
Fortuna Dusseldorf v Paderborn (4.30pm)
Augsburg v Wolfsburg (4.30pm)
Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Monchengladbach (7.30pm)
Sunday, May 17
Cologne v Mainz (4.30pm),
Union Berlin v Bayern Munich (7pm)
Monday, May 18
Werder Bremen v Bayer Leverkusen (9.30pm)
The five pillars of Islam
Why it pays to compare
A comparison of sending Dh20,000 from the UAE using two different routes at the same time - the first direct from a UAE bank to a bank in Germany, and the second from the same UAE bank via an online platform to Germany - found key differences in cost and speed. The transfers were both initiated on January 30.
Route 1: bank transfer
The UAE bank charged Dh152.25 for the Dh20,000 transfer. On top of that, their exchange rate margin added a difference of around Dh415, compared with the mid-market rate.
Total cost: Dh567.25 - around 2.9 per cent of the total amount
Total received: €4,670.30
Route 2: online platform
The UAE bank’s charge for sending Dh20,000 to a UK dirham-denominated account was Dh2.10. The exchange rate margin cost was Dh60, plus a Dh12 fee.
Total cost: Dh74.10, around 0.4 per cent of the transaction
Total received: €4,756
The UAE bank transfer was far quicker – around two to three working days, while the online platform took around four to five days, but was considerably cheaper. In the online platform transfer, the funds were also exposed to currency risk during the period it took for them to arrive.
The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six
Power: 650hp at 6,750rpm
Torque: 800Nm from 2,500-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Fuel consumption: 11.12L/100km
Price: From Dh796,600
On sale: now
The%20Beekeeper
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Company Profile
Company name: Yeepeey
Started: Soft launch in November, 2020
Founders: Sagar Chandiramani, Jatin Sharma and Monish Chandiramani
Based: Dubai
Industry: E-grocery
Initial investment: $150,000
Future plan: Raise $1.5m and enter Saudi Arabia next year
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
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Porsche Macan T: The Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 265hp from 5,000-6,500rpm
Torque: 400Nm from 1,800-4,500rpm
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch auto
Speed: 0-100kph in 6.2sec
Top speed: 232kph
Fuel consumption: 10.7L/100km
On sale: May or June
Price: From Dh259,900
