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Disney parks, cruise line shut down for rest of March to avoid coronavirus spread

Disney parks, cruise line shut down for rest of March to avoid coronavirus spread
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Disney parks, cruise line shut down for rest of March to avoid coronavirus spread
Amid concerns of the novel coronavirus, which has now killed more than 4,200 people worldwide and at least 39 in the United States, Disney World and Disneyland will be shutting its gates to limit the spread of the virus. Disney Cruise Line and Disneyland Paris Resort have also suspended operations.A spokeperson for The Walt Disney Company issued the statement Thursday:"In an abundance of caution and in the best interest of our guests and employees, we are proceeding with the closure of our theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Paris Resort, beginning at the close of business on Sunday, March 15, through the end of the month. Disney Cruise Line will suspend all new departures beginning Saturday, March 14, through the end of the month. The Walt Disney Company will pay its cast members during that closure period. The hotels at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland Paris will remain open until further notice. The retail and dining complexes, Disney Springs at Walt Disney World and Disney Village at Disneyland Paris, will remain open. Domestic Walt Disney Company employees who are able to work from home are being asked to do so, including those at The Walt Disney Studios, Walt Disney Television, ESPN, Direct-to-Consumer, and Parks, Experiences and Products. We will continue to stay in close contact with appropriate officials and health experts."The official Twitter account for Disney parks first tweeted out that Disney Land would close for the month. Disneyland park, based in Anaheim, California, will close down March 14, though The Hotels of Disneyland Resort will remain open until the following Monday, March 16.California currently has at least 175 reported cases of the coronavirus, while Florida has at least 26, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.This is only the fourth time Disneyland has fully suspended operations. Previous times were in response to 9/11, the Northridge earthquake of 1994, and for a national day of mourning following President John F. Kennedy's assassination.Related: NBA Suspends its season

Amid concerns of the novel coronavirus, which has now killed more than 4,200 people worldwide and at least 39 in the United States, Disney World and Disneyland will be shutting its gates to limit the spread of the virus. Disney Cruise Line and Disneyland Paris Resort have also suspended operations.

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A spokeperson for The Walt Disney Company issued the statement Thursday:

"In an abundance of caution and in the best interest of our guests and employees, we are proceeding with the closure of our theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Paris Resort, beginning at the close of business on Sunday, March 15, through the end of the month. Disney Cruise Line will suspend all new departures beginning Saturday, March 14, through the end of the month. The Walt Disney Company will pay its cast members during that closure period. The hotels at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland Paris will remain open until further notice. The retail and dining complexes, Disney Springs at Walt Disney World and Disney Village at Disneyland Paris, will remain open. Domestic Walt Disney Company employees who are able to work from home are being asked to do so, including those at The Walt Disney Studios, Walt Disney Television, ESPN, Direct-to-Consumer, and Parks, Experiences and Products. We will continue to stay in close contact with appropriate officials and health experts."

The official Twitter account for Disney parks first tweeted out that Disney Land would close for the month. Disneyland park, based in Anaheim, California, will close down March 14, though The Hotels of Disneyland Resort will remain open until the following Monday, March 16.

California currently has at least 175 reported cases of the coronavirus, while Florida has at least 26, according to the .

This is only the fourth time Disneyland has fully suspended operations. Previous times were in response to 9/11, the Northridge earthquake of 1994, and for a national day of mourning following President John F. Kennedy's assassination.

Related: NBA Suspends its season