Disney uses stormtroopers to enforce social distancing, but it’s actually fine

Star Wars stormtroopers aren't real. But if they were, this would be a great use for them.

The white-suited Imperial soldiers were spotted patrolling a balcony at Disney Springs, the shopping, dining, and entertainment complex that was the first Disney World property to reopen last week. Following a monthslong COVID-19 closure, the complex implemented lots of new precautionary measures, and the stormtroopers were there to remind guests of what they needed to do to stay safe.

The "conversation" between the two costumed Disney cast members. a sort of screwball comedy bit reminiscent of the funniest moments from The Mandalorian, was piped through nearby speakers. Attractions Magazine captured some of the best bits and posted them to YouTube.

"Yeah, I'm gonna need you to move…one bantha's length away please," the headstrong female stormtrooper says to the clueless male stormtrooper, a reminder to him and the crowds below of the importance of social distancing.

In another bit, he tries to get the attention of someone in the crowd by saying "Hey! You! With the face covering!"

"They all have face coverings," she replies.

"Well, I made them all look," he points out, eliciting a groan from his exasperated companion.

Face masks are, of course, a CDC-recommended measure to slow the spread of the coronavirus. They're also required for all employees and guests at Disney Springs, and thus made great fodder for the stormtroopers' routine.

"Some nice face coverings down there," the female stormtrooper said of the tourists' masks below. "Probably nicer than these helmets."

"I doubt it," he replied matter-of-factly. "These helmets have atmospheric processing units with multi-stage filtration, heat dispersion, and vacuum-tolerant oxygen delivery."

"Do you stand at night reading spec manuals?" she asked incredulously.

"Yes, actually."

"That checks out," she said, the "you nerd" heavily implied.

The stormtroopers' repartee was nice because it managed to have some fun with the serious situation without making light of it. Wearing face masks and social distancing is serious, but this performance shows that messages aimed at the public can have some levity and be effective.

This article originally appeared on Fatherly. Follow @FatherlyHQ on Twitter.