Hong Kong Disneyland recently created a stir by announcing unlimited access to the park for school children for the price of a one-day ticket while primary schools, kindergartens, childcare centres and special schools were closed in an effort to contain the spread of swine flu.
Critics accused Disneyland - which is 57 per cent owned by the same government that ordered the school closures - of undermining the purpose of the closures, which was to minimise contact school children had with one another.
But York Chow Yat-ngok, Secretary for Food and Health, argued that Disneyland was not doing anything illegal, saying, 'All conferences, exhibitions and public events may continue as usual.' But he also noted that Disneyland should not use school closures as an opportunity to promote business.
With summer in full swing, growth in theme park attendance can only provide more opportunities for the new virus to spread.
But available figures suggest that the virus has done little to keep people at home - Ocean Park said ticket sales were comparable to the same period last year.
Disneyland declined to comment on whether its promotion had resulted in more visitors.
Both Ocean Park and Disneyland said they were countering the spread of swine flu by providing hygiene stations.