Hong Kong closes Disneyland, declares state of emergency as coronavirus spreads
Quick summary
The Hong Kong government has raised its response level to "emergency" in light of the continued spread of the Wuhan coronavirus, leading to extended school closings, suspended flights, theme park closures and event cancellations — including the shutdown of Hong Kong Disneyland Resort.
For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.
Chief Executive Carrie Lam announced in a press conference that she will personally chair an interdepartmental committee aimed at containing the spread of the virus. As part of the state of emergency, kindergartens, primary schools and secondary schools in Hong Kong are closed through Feb. 17. Lam also announced the cancellation of the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon and the suspension of all flights and high-speed trains between Wuhan and Hong Kong.
Health declaration forms will be extended to all entry points into Hong Kong, with false declarations punishable by six months in prison or a fine of 5,000 Hong Kong dollars ($643), according to Lam.
Related: The best credit cards with trip cancellation and interruption protection
Hong Kong Disneyland Resort and Ocean Park have both announced shutdowns effective today, Jan. 26, though hotels at both parks will remain open. Exchanges and refunds will be offered to anyone with prebooked tickets.
"As a precautionary measure in line with prevention efforts taking place across Hong Kong, we are temporarily closing Hong Kong Disneyland park from today out of consideration for the health and safety of our guests and cast members," said a statement from the resort, reported in the South China Morning Post.
Ngong Ping 360 (a gondola lift on Lantau Island in Hong Kong) has also announced suspended service between Tung Chung and Ngong Ping Village starting Monday. Ngong Ping Village, which is a popular tourist attraction, will remain open, but attractions within the village will be suspended.
The spread of the deadly virus in Hong Kong comes as tensions are still high from anti-government protests. The city's plan to convert an unused public housing block into a quarantine zone was met with protestors setting fires in the building lobbies.
Related: How airports are screening travelers for deadly new coronavirus-type disease
Coronavirus quickly spreads worldwide
Local news in Hong Kong has reported three more confirmed cases of the virus in Hong Kong, raising the city's total to eight. Hong Kong is not the only place seeing cases of the Wuhan virus spread. Bloomberg has reported 2,019 confirmed cases worldwide — including 56 deaths. The mayor of Wuhan said there could be about 1,000 more cases in the city.
A third case in the U.S. has now been confirmed in Orange County, California, joining a case in Chicago and a case in Washington State. And Canada has also confirmed the country's first "presumptive" case of the Wuhan coronavirus. All four North American cases have been contracted by those who recently visited Wuhan, the Chinese city the outbreak is thought to have originated from.
All travelers should be extra mindful to wash hands and avoid touching your nose and mouth, and make sure to check the CDC for updates and travel advisories.
Related: What spread of deadly new virus means for travelers