HONG KONG – Hong Kong’s loss-making Disneyland theme park reopened on Thursday to a limited number of visitors amid enhanced health measures after the pandemic outbreak forced it to close in late January.
In sharp contrast to outbreaks in other major cities of the world, Hong Kong reported a relatively small number of infections, recording 1,121 cases and four fatalities. Though the border remains virtually shut life is slowly returning to normal.
Dozens of visitors were seen at the entrance, many of them families with children.
“In the past few months I missed coming here so much,” said annual pass holder Vicky Lam, 36, waving at staff wearing Disney character costumes.
The park authorities said its shopping and dining locations will have reduced capacity and social distancing norms will be implemented.
It will also carry out frequent disinfection and make hand sanitisers available for visitors, who are required to go through temperature screening and wear a face mask.
Hong Kong’s Disneyland resort, which reported losses for the past three years according to annual reports available on its website, is owned by a joint venture, Hongkong International Theme Parks Ltd. The local government has 53% stake in it and Walt Disney Co holds the rest.
In the absence of tourists, business for Disneyland is likely to remain subdued. It will have to rely on a domestic market that was struggling with recession after months of often-violent pro-democracy protests even before the coronavirus attack.
Ocean Park, the city’s other theme park, reopened on Saturday after lawmakers approved a HK$5.4 billion ($697 million) bailout plan last month to keep it running for another year.
(Photos syndicated via Reuters)
This story has been edited by BH staff and is published from a syndicated field