Hong Kong Disneyland closes again just a month after reopening following coronavirus spike

Ross McGuinness
Updated ·2 min read

Hong Kong Disneyland is closing its doors just a month after reopening following a spike in coronavirus cases in the city.

It will be the second time the theme park closes on a temporary basis this year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hong Kong has banned gatherings and shut gyms amid fears of a third wave of coronavirus.

Hong Kong Disneyland was initially closed at the end of January, before reopening on 18 June after coronavirus cases in Hong Kong dropped.

Visitors wearing face masks to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus, take a selfie at the Hong Kong Disneyland on Thursday, June 18, 2020. Hong Kong Disneyland on Thursday opened its doors to visitors for the first time in nearly five months, at a reduced capacity and with social distancing measures in place. The theme park closed temporarily at the end of January due to the coronavirus outbreak, and is the second Disney-themed park to re-open worldwide, after Shanghai Disneyland. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Hong Kong Disneyland reopened on 18 June but is closing again. (AP Photo)

However, its gates will close again on Wednesday after a surge in cases.

On Monday, 41 out of 52 coronavirus infections reported in Hong Kong were locally transmitted cases.

Since 6 July, Hong Kong has reported 250 new cases, with Monday's tally being the highest since March.

The decision to close in Hong Kong contrasts with the reopening on Saturday of Disney World in Florida, despite an alarming rise in coronavirus cases in the US state.

On Monday, Florida reported 12,600 new cases of coronavirus, a drop from Sunday’s figure of 15,300.

The figure on Sunday meant that if Florida were a country, it would have had the fourth highest number of new daily cases, behind the US, Brazil and India.

On Sunday, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported a record number of daily new coronavirus cases for the second time in three days.

Hong Kong is banning public gatherings of more than four people from Wednesday.

Its Disneyland resort's hotels will remain open with adjusted levels of service, Disney officials said.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL - JULY 11: In this handout photo provided by Walt Disney World Resort, a Disney cast member welcomes guests to Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort on July 11, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. July 11, 2020 is the first day of the phased reopening. (Photo by Matt Stroshane/Walt Disney World Resort via Getty Images)
Disney World in Florida reopened on Saturday despite a surge in cases in the state. (Gettys)

The resort is closing "as required by the government and health authorities in line with prevention efforts taking place across Hong Kong", Disney said.

Hong Kong's leader, Carrie Lam, announced new coronavirus-related restrictions on Monday and she urged the businesses to allow employees to work from home.

Disneyland Paris in France is welcoming back visitors this week for the first time since March.

Coronavirus: what happened today
Click here to sign up to the latest news and information with our daily Catch-up newsletter

  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next

Latest Stories