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Disneyland, California Adventure to close through March due to coronavirus

Holidays at Disneyland Resort - “Believe … in Holiday Magic” at Disneyland Park
Posted at 1:41 PM, Mar 12, 2020
and last updated 2020-03-12 20:41:29-04

(KGTV) — Disneyland and California Adventure have announced that both theme parks will close starting Saturday through the end of March amid the coronavirus outbreak.

While there have been no reported cases at either theme park, both locations were being closed "in the best interest of our guests and employees," following Gov. Gavin Newsom's executive order surrounding large events throughout California.

Disney hotels will remain open through Monday to allow guests the ability to make travel arrangements.

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"We will monitor the ongoing situation and follow the advice and guidance of federal and state officials and health agencies. Disney will continue to pay cast members during this time," Disney said in a statement. "Disneyland Resort will work with guests who wish to change or cancel their visits, and will provide refunds to those who have hotel bookings during this closure period."

Those Disney employees who are able to work from home are being asked to do so, according to the company.

Later, Disney said all its US cruise lines and theme parks worldwide would be closed through the end of the month.

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"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 company said.

Thursday, Gov. Newsom issued an executive order recommending against large events with gatherings of 250 people or more across the state. He added that the mandate excluded casinos, card rooms, theaters and large theme parks, such as Disneyland, Magic Mountain and Universal Studios Hollywood, due to "complexity of their "unique circumstances."

Initially, Disneyland said they had taken steps to protect guests and cast members, including "additional hand sanitizers throughout the park, increased the frequency of cleaning and disinfection in high guest-contact areas and are providing information about good hygiene practices and illness prevention to our guests and cast members."

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Disneyland is the latest location to cancel events amid the global coronavirus outbreak. Several nationwide sports leagues, and local events and school systems have either canceled or postponed events in response to the virus.

"These changes will cause real stress -- especially for families and businesses least equipped financially to deal with them," Newsom said. "The state of California is working closely with businesses who will feel the economic shock of these changes, and we are mobilizing every level of government to help families as they persevere through this global health crisis."