COVID-19 impacts have struck again with another round of layoffs at Mears Transportation Group, operator of Disney’s Magical Express, according to the Orlando Business Journal.

Paperwork filed with the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity shows that 104 workers have been laid off over the last few weeks at several Central Florida locations. In this most recent round of layoffs, 19 employees operating out of the Orlando International Airport were let go on July 31. These employees include those who run Mears shuttle and taxi services, as well as the Disney’s Magical Express service. Additionally, 75 employees were laid off throughout July from the corporate offices. And 11 employees were laid off from the sales and customer service departments.

Prior to the COVID-19 shutdown, the company employed 950 people. When the stay-at-home order was enacted, 83% of its employees were furloughed. The first round of layoffs started June 8 and saw 72 employees cut from Mears. This is now the second round of layoffs. Coupling these with other natural severances, the company now employs roughly 650 people. Mears has also given notice to laid-off employees that it will rehire positions as available when business returns.

With the stay-at-home orders lifted in Florida and Walt Disney World open once more to travelers, hopefully that may come sooner than later. For more like this, be sure to read our ongoing coverage of the COVID-19 situation regarding free testing at Walt Disney World, the financial impacts to the parks after the shutdown, and the continuing travel bans to Florida.

Source: Orlando Business Journal