Disneyland closes amid concerns over coronavirus

Disneyland resort in California is closing its parks starting Saturday and into the end of the month to avoid the spread of the coronavirus.

“While there have been no reported case of COVID-19 at Disneyland Resort, after carefully reviewing the guidelines of the Governor of California’s executive order and in the best interest of our guests and employees, we are proceeding with the closure of Disneyland Park and Disneyland Adventure,” the resort said in a statement Thursday.

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— Disney Parks News (@DisneyParksNews) March 12, 2020

The move came after California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) issued an executive order cancelling gatherings of more than 250 people, though he noted Disneyland and other large parks were exempt.

“We’ve been meeting with our partners and our Tribal Nations,” Newsom said at a press conference. “We’ve been meeting with leaders in those respective industries. The complexity of their unique circumstances requires additional conversation, a different kind of engagement in real time.”

The parks will close beginning March 14 and until the end of the month. Their hotels will remain open until March 16 to “give guests the ability to make necessary travel arrangements.” 

The park will continue to pay cast members throughout closure, though the park employs roughly 30,000 people, most of whom are not cast members.  

Disney employees previously told The Verge that they were growing concerned about the risk of contracting the virus at the park but had not received information regarding closures.

“We have heard very little from management about the response to COVID-19,” one employee told The Verge. “I haven’t heard a single word about other parks closing, almost like it is a dirty secret. I’ve seen a lot of companies talking about extended sick leaves, working from home, and working with insurance to ensure free testing but nothing of the sort from Disney other than ‘wash your hands.’”