Shanghai Disneyland closes temporarily after visitor tests positive

Shanghai Disneyland abruptly closed on Sunday evening and had its visitors tested for COVID-19 following a positive coronavirus test by a person who visited the theme park, CNBC reports.

Shanghai tested thousands of people who were in attendance at Shanghai Disneyland Sunday, and as of Monday, 33,863 had tested negative, CNBC reported. Shanghai city also stated that anyone who has visited the theme park since Saturday needed to be tested.

The theme park continued to host its outdoor entertainment for those who were already inside of Shanghai Disneyland, according to CNBC. The park planned to be shut down on Monday and Tuesday. 

Disney, which owns 43 percent of Shanghai Disney Resort, is offering refunds or exchanges for guests who bought tickets dated for Oct. 31, Nov. 1, and Nov. 2, according to CNBC. 

As reported by The Associated Press, Shanghai Disneyland’s sudden lockdown and closure highlights how serious China is about enforcing a no-tolerance pandemic control strategy.

The AP reported that for hours people were stuck inside the theme park waiting to leave and were unable to do so until they tested negative for COVID-19.

According to CNBC, Shanghai Disneyland put out a message on the Chinese app Weibo stating it tested all staff, and that the close contacts were in isolation and have tested negative for the coronavirus.

An annual pass holder in Shanghai Disneyland with the surname Chen who was at the park over the weekend told the AP, “No one complained, and everyone behaved really well.” 

Chen told the outlet that she visited the park at least monthly and is waiting to get a hotel for her second COVID-19 test until she can return to Beijing. 

China has implemented strict COVID-19 measures, with Beijing Railway last week stopping a train traveling from Shanghai to Beijing due to one passenger being a close contact of someone who tested positive for COVID-19, the AP noted.

The Hill has reached out to Disney Parks and Shaghai Disneyland for comment.

Updated at 12:23 p.m.