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The operators of Tokyo Disneyland, DisneySea and Universal Studios Japan said on Friday that they will shutter the hugely popular theme parks from Saturday to March 15 in a bid to help contain the spread of the new coronavirus.
Oriental Land Co., which operates the Disney resorts near Tokyo, and USJ LLC, which operates Universal Studios Japan in Osaka Prefecture, made the decision in line with calls from the government for big events and gatherings to be postponed for at least two weeks.
Oriental Land Co. has not closed its theme parks since March and April of 2011 when a massive earthquake-triggered tsunami battered Japan's eastern seaboard, leading to a nuclear disaster at a plant in Fukushima Prefecture, the worst since Chernobyl in 1986.
People who have already purchased tickets to the Disney theme parks on the days they will be closed will be offered a refund or an extension on the validity date, the operator said, while those holding annual passes will be informed henceforth how they will be compensated.
The government has said that the coming two-week period is crucial to containing the spread of the new coronavirus. Businesses and schools have also been asked to, where possible, allow their staff to work from home or work staggered shifts.
A number of large public events have already been cancelled, as per the government's requirements.
The government has also asked all elementary, junior-high and high schools to temporarily close beginning March 2 for about a month.
Education Minister Koichi Hagiuda said on Friday that the government is requesting all children not attending schools to remain indoors while at home.
"We ask for the cooperation of relevant ministries and agencies so that pupils and students will stay at home in principle and not go outside unless it is necessary," Hagiuda said.
Hagiuda said the decision was made by the government because "experts have been saying schools have a high risk of group infection."
The timing of the nationwide school closures comes a few weeks ahead of the schools' spring break, scheduled for late March.
The announcement, however, has been met with some uncertainty from teachers, students and parents who have said they have not been given enough time to prepare for the unscheduled break.
Japanese Prime Minster Shinzo Abe announced the plan to shutter all the schools at a government task force meeting Thursday on combating the coronavirus.
(CGTN)
