After originally planning to reopen March 16, the theme park extended its closure of both Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea, according to an update on its official website.
“As a precautionary measure in line with prevention efforts taking place across Japan and in response to the recommendations of appropriate authorities, Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea will remain closed through early April out of consideration for the health and safety of our guests and cast members,” a statement on the website read. “We remain in close contact with related government agencies about the situation and will provide updates as the situation changes.”
The grand opening for a new area in Tokyo Disneyland has been postponed from April 15 to “mid-May 2020 or beyond,” the statement added.
An announcement released in late February on the Tokyo Disneyland website said that the park would close for two weeks as a precaution against the spread of coronavirus in Japan, one day after Prime Minister Shinzo Abe asked schools nationwide to close for most of March.
Disney earns royalties from Tokyo Disneyland, but the park is owned and operated by a third-party Japanese corporation. It had been the one Disney park in Asia open amid growing coronavirus anxieties. Hong Kong Disneyland, which shut its doors in late January remains closed with no projected reopening date.
Meanwhile, the Shanghai Disney Resort partially reopened Monday after the entire park closed over a month ago.
To kick off a “step of a phased reopening,” a “limited number of shopping, dining and recreational experiences” resumed Monday at Disneytown, Wishing Star Park and Shanghai Disney Hotel. Shanghai Disneyland park remains closed.
“Each of these resort locations will operate under limited capacity and reduced hours of operation,” the website announced.
Shanghai Disney Resort partially reopens as China reports fewest new coronavirus cases since January
Shanghai Disney is co-owned by the Walt Disney Co. and the Shanghai Shendi Group and managed by a Shanghai-based park and resort company.
Every guest entering the resort will be required to go through temperature screening procedures, “will need to present their Health QR Code when entering dining venues, and will be required to wear a mask during their entire visit,” Disney Shanghai told guests.
“The resort will provide an extensive range of measures, designed to ensure a safe and healthy experience for all guests, Cast Members and Disneytown tenant employees, including strict and comprehensive approaches on sanitization, disinfection and cleanliness,” the website added. “Guests will also be reminded to maintain respectful social distances at all times while in stores, queues and restaurants.”
Contributing: Jayme Deerwester, USA TODAY.
