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Tokyo's two Disney resorts, Disneyland and DisneySea, will close from Saturday through March 15 on fears over the outbreak of COVID-19 in Japan, the operator announced on Friday.
"Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea have decided to proceed with an extraordinary closure from Saturday, February 29, 2020, through Sunday, March15," the operator said in a statement.
It said the move is in accordance with the government's request earlier this week to cancel or postpone big events for two weeks over safety concerns.
The operator Oriental Land said it currently hoped to resume operations from March16,
An announcement from Oriental Land Co., operator of the Tokyo Disney Resort, on Friday, saying that Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea will close from Saturday to March 15 over the coronavirus outbreak.
"Currently, we plan to reopen on March16. But we'll decide when to open by looking at the situation and developments. We'll also consult (official) agencies concerned," said a spokesman.
The operator added that it would inform ticket holders of policies on refunds.
'Most Magical Place on Earth' overshadowed by virus
Tokyo Disneyland is among the most popular destinations for tourists visiting Tokyo, receiving more than 30 million visitors per year.
The entrance of Shanghai Disney theme park, Shanghai, China, May 10, 2016. /VCG Photo
Hailed the "Most Magical Place on Earth," Disney theme parks in various places have fallen victim to the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic worldwide.
Disney's theme parks in Shanghai and Hong Kong have been closed for more than a month, and the company earlier this month warned of a negative impact on its second-quarter results.
An earnings call showed that it expected to suffer 280 million U.S. dollars in losses due to the two resort closures. The closure of the Shanghai park could impact operating profit by about 135 million U.S. dollars if closed for twomonths.
In Paris Disneyland, a set of "Onward" pins, which were scheduled to be released on Saturday (February 29) in celebration of the movie's premiere, have been postponed with the new date yet to confirmed.
Efforts intensified in Japan to tackle epidemic
An invited group of Japanese students arrive for a preview of giant panda cub Xiang Xiang at Ueno Zoological Gardens on December 18, 2017, in Tokyo, Japan. /VCG Photo
Tokyo Disneyland's latest measure comes as the Japanese government steps up efforts to tackle the novel coronavirus epidemic, which has been responsible for at least four deaths in the nation and nearly 200 infections.
On Thursday night, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe urged primary, junior high and high schools across the country to close for around a month, though nurseries and after-school clubs are exempt.
The government has also urged people to work from home and commute during off-peak hours, as well as avoid large gatherings.
According to Japanese authorities, the upcoming two to three weeks will be crucial in determining whether the outbreak can be contained, a major concern particularly for the nation in the run-up to the Olympics due to begin in Tokyo in July.
(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)
