East Asian theme parks remain closed as others continue to operate during Coronavirus crisis

March 12, 2020

While theme parks in China, Hong Kong and Japan have closed in the wake of the spread of Coronavirus, theme parks in other locations remain open.

With more than 100,000 confirmed cases of Coronavirus around the world, and public health officials warning people against gathering in crowded places, theme parks appear to be taking the view that their guests are not gathering in a single location.

In the USA, theme parks including Universal Studios, Six Flags, and Disney parks remain open but have implemented new safety measures to protect attendees from contracting the disease, such as educating staff member about best hygiene practices and encouraging anyone who feels sick not to come to the parks.

However, Universal Studios and Disney parks in Japan and China have closed as a result of the outbreak.

At Hong Kong’s Ocean Park, the entire workforce is taking unpaid leave while senior management salaries have been cut as Coronavirus adds to the attraction’s ongoing financial troubles.

Also open are theme parks in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Singapore and Australia, welcoming thousands of guests per day.

Disneyland Paris also remains open, despite a maintenance worker who works for the park testing positive for the virus.

In Australia, Dreamworld advises on its website "with the recent health concerns about Coronavirus (COVID-19), we want to ensure our guests that measures are being taken to reduce the risk of an outbreak at the park, and to maintain the highest standard of hygiene possible.

"We are monitoring the situation closely and have taken action on increasing our cleaning processes and hygiene education, ensuring that park health and park sanitation are a priority."

The statement, also emphasises Dreamworld's sanitation regime, adding "every morning before the park opens our cleaners ensure that public surfaces at both Dreamworld and WhiteWater World are thoroughly cleaned with multi-purpose cleaner and disinfected. This includes tables, chairs, benches, railings, queue lines, ride seats and harnesses, as well as all bathroom and kitchen facilities.

"We have increased our cleaning frequency in high traffic areas and all food outlets throughout the day and will continue to maintain a quick clean response to spills, rubbish and other situations."

Images: Closure sign at Ocean Park Hong Kong (top, courtesy of Tony Chan) and Dreamworld's hygiene advice (below).

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