March 12, 2020 10:15 pm
Disneyland and Disney California Adventure parks will soon close through the end of the month after California barred mass gatherings to combat the spread of the coronavirus.
Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, said Thursday that the new statewide measure on large events would not yet apply to casinos, theaters and large theme parks, explaining that those industries had raised enough “legitimate concerns” that officials would allow more time to discuss repercussions.
But Disney announced later in the day that it would close its iconic attractions in Anaheim despite having “no reported cases” of the virus that causes covid-19 there.
The park closings will start Saturday, Disney says, but Disneyland Resort hotels will stay open until Monday so that guests can make travel arrangements.
Disney added in a statement that it will continue to pay cast members as it monitors the situation and follows government guidance. The company also said it will “work with guests who wish to change or cancel their visits” and refund people who booked during the shutdown period.
Florida’s Disney World remains open and has continued to draw enthusiastic crowds amid mounting warnings from public health experts about the dangers of large gatherings.
(c) 2020, The Washington Post · Hannah Knowles
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