Tokyo Disneyland and Universal Studios Japan will close tomorrow (February 29) for the next two weeks as coronavirus takes its toll on attractions and events around the world.
Tokyo Disneyland said on its website: “As a precautionary measure in line with prevention efforts taking place across Japan and in response to the recommendations of appropriate authorities, we are temporarily closing Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea out of consideration for the health and safety of our guests and cast members from February 29 to March 15. We remain in close contact with related government agencies about the situation.
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“The parks are currently scheduled to reopen on March 16, but further information will be announced at a later date.”
Universal Studios Japan also has an announcement about the temporary closure of its park in Osaka “in order to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus within the nation”.
The closure is expected to last until March 15 but may change “according to the situation”.
Reports say that Japan has recorded more than 200 coronavirus cases, excluding the almost 700 people who fell ill on the Diamond Princess cruise ship.
Schools in Japan will close from Monday until the school year ends in late March.
Disney’s theme parks in China – in Shanghai and Hong Kong – closed at the start of February.
The spread of the virus in Japan has fuelled speculation about whether Tokyo will be able to host the summer Olympics from July.