Disneyland Hong Kong will close again amid another wave of COVID-19.
The park had reopened on June 18, but will now close again less than a month later by July 15.
The park introduced a number of safety measures in order to reopen including guidelines to ensure social distancing among guests. Disney also required guests to wear face masks and submit to a temperature screening to gain entrance. New restrictions extended to cast members too. Disney character actors were told they could not physically interact with guests.
Still, Hong Kong officials determined that the restrictions in place were not enough to combat the new wave of COVID-19 cases rising in the city. For now, mainland China has not responded to the increase in cases and Shanghai Disney Resort remains open.
Disney World Orlando Reopens
Back at home, Disney World Orlando is in the middle of reopening to the public.
The Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom reopened Saturday. Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios will reopen July 15.
Meanwhile, Florida reported 11,433 new COVID-19 cases on Friday. The health department also reported 435 additional hospitalizations, the state’s largest single-day increase. Saturday added over 10,000 more cases and another 421 hospitalizations.
Disney World will follow similar safety guidelines to those enacted by Disneyland Hong Kong. Guests must wear face masks and submit to a temperature screening.
The guest experience website contains a COVID-19 warning.
Disneyland California Remains Closed
On the other side of the states, Disneyland California remains closed.
However, this has been less a decision on Disney’s part and more a result of California’s stricter reopening guidelines. The theme park originally planned to reopen Disneyland and California Adventure this Friday, July 17. Amid backlash from the public and Disney’s own cast members, Disney announced the reopening would be delayed.
The Downtown Disney retail district began a phased reopening on July 9.
With California’s COVID-19 cases also increasing, the state has begun to roll back some of its reopenings. Now, it’s unclear if the theme park will be able to join its east coast partner in reopening this summer.
Do you think Disneyland Hong Kong made the right call? Will you be heading to Disney World this summer? Let us know in the comments.
Source: Inside the Magic
