Due to the novel coronavirus outbreak, Disney will close its
theme parks in Anaheim, Calif., from March 14 through the end of the month and
the Disney World theme parks
in Orlando from March 16 through the end of the month.
Plus, Disney Cruise Line will suspend all new departures from March 14 through the end of the month.
The Universal Orlando Resort in Orlando is scheduled to close from March 16 to the end of the month.
And, Broadway performances in New York City have been
suspended until the week of April 13 in an attempt to quell the spread of the
Covid-19 coronavirus, under the order of New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
In a statement on the Disneyland Resort website, the company
said there have been no cases of the Covid-19 coronavirus at the resort, but
the decision was made “after carefully reviewing the guidelines of the governor
of California’s executive order and in the best interest of our guests and
employees.”
Gov. Gavin Newsome issued an executive order urging Californians to follow public health directives. That includes canceling
large gatherings of more than 250 people.
“Late last night, California put out a new policy on mass
gatherings and engaged in deep conversations with Disney and other companies
about how to meet it,” the governor’s office said in a statement. “Using that
policy, Disney made the right call in the interest of public health and agreed
to shut down their California parks. Expect more announcements like this
shortly.”
Disneyland Resort’s hotels will remain open until March 16. Refunds
will be issued for hotel bookings during the closure period. The Downtown Disney shopping and dining district will remain
open.
In Orlando, Disney hotels and Disney Springs will remain open.
Disney employees will be paid throughout the park closures.
In New York, Cuomo made the Broadway announcement during a
press conference where he also banned any gatherings of more than 500 people.
“Our top priority has been and will continue to be the
health and well-being of Broadway theatergoers and the thousands of people who
work in the theater industry every day, including actors, musicians,
stagehands, ushers, and many other dedicated professionals,” said Charlotte St.
Martin, president of the Broadway League trade group.
The Broadway League encouraged patrons with tickets for
performances through April 12 to contact their point of sale for refunds and
exchanges.
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This report was updated Thursday night with news of the planned closures of Disney World theme parks, Universal Orlando and Disney Cruise Line.