Hong Kong Disneyland, which reopened on June 18, returned for good due to the resurgence of COVID-19.
Hong Kong cinemas also will be forced to close again starting Wednesday after a spike in local cases of the coronavirus led authorities to re-implement tighter lockdown measures.
The government will close 12 types of businesses, add gyms, gaming centers and theaters, and restrict organizational meetings to only 4 people, compared to 50. Cinemas first closed their doors on March 28, but began reopening in early May. , with restrictions in place.
News of the theme park’s closure comes two days after Disney reopened Disney World despite a significant increase in viral infection rates in Florida. The media giant is looking to reopen the doors of its parks around the world. Sites are a major source of income, but they also provide a nest of demanding logistical situations as fitness officials and political leaders struggle to find answers and infection rates fluctuate.
“As required by the government and fitness authorities, in line with ongoing prevention efforts in Hong Kong, Hong Kong Disneyland Park will close on July 15,” a Disney spokesman said in a statement. “Hong Kong Disneyland Resort hotels will remain open with tight service levels. They have put in place protection and fitness measures that reflect the instructions of government and fitness authorities, such as measures of greater social distance and cleanliness and disinfection.
Hong Kong began dealing with coronavirus starting in January, with the closure of schools and businesses. In a wave of moments, weeks later, the maximum of blocking supplies remained intact, relaxing in May amid encouraging trends in the data. From 13 June to 5 July, there was no locally transmitted COVID-19 infection, authorities said.
Hong Kong Disneyland opened in 2005. It generated $6 billion in profit in the fiscal year ending September 28, 2019, losses doubled to $13.4 million from last year due to continued anti-government protests.
“Unless we have an effective vaccine that can be widely used in the community, we may have to coexist with the virus for some time,” Hong Kong Executive Director Carrie Lam said at a news convention Monday, Reuters reported.
The news of the theater is a blow to the local film industry. Hong Kong has had relative good luck in the fight against the virus through strict early closure measures, but the territory has now shown 52 new cases, bringing its number to 1522, with 8 deaths.
On a more positive note, the Government Film Development Fund today announced plans for a $260 million HKD bullet (US$34 million) in the local cinema arm, and the cash will go toward various measures, adding one that will see established managers like Wong Kar-wai joining young filmmakers to make films with reduced budgets.
As a result of social occasions and the epidemic, film production and local investment have declined, raising high-demand situations for industry and professionals over the following year. Therefore, the government is committed to offering the industry on several fronts to get ahead in this difficult time and maintain the good fortune of Hong Kong films,” said Edward Yau, secretary of Trade and Economic Development.