Faced with the unprecedented crisis caused by COVID-19, Cirque du Soleil temporarily laid off 95% of its staff, or 4,679 employees. These cuts take effect immediately.

According to La Presse, Cirque’s management communicated the news to its employees earlier this morning via online video to avoid reuniting the 1,300 employees at its head office. Just two days ago, Cirque announced the temporary layoff of 2,600 employees, including 1,200 artists, or just over half of its 4,900 employees. The company has just published a press release confirming the news: REQUIRED CLOSURE OF ALL SHOWS FORCES COMPANY TO TAKE SIGNIFICANT STEPS TO STABILIZE AND PREPARE FOR POST-CRISIS REOPENINGS MONTREAL, March 19, 2020...