Universal Extends Closure Through May 31, Updates Team Member Status

Universal has officially announced that Universal Orlando’s theme parks, hotels, and Universal CityWalk will remain closed through May 31, 2020 due to COVID-19. The parks have been closed since the end of business on March 15, 2020. CityWalk closed at March 17, 2020 at midnight and the hotels closed on March 20, 2020 at 5:00 pm.

Tom Williams, Chariman & CEO of Universal Parks & Resorts, sent out a message to team members letting them know about the extended closure as well as an update on their jobs. As previously announced, team members will be paid 100 percent through April 19, 2020. Effective April 20, 2020, executives, front-of-house, back-of-house, salaried, and hourly team members will be paid at 80 percent, except for those being asked to continue working at 100 percent.

On May 3, part-time hourly team members will be furloughed, but those team members who participate in a benefits plan will continue to be enrolled in their plan. Universal will be paying weekly contributions for the part-time hourly team members who are being furloughed.