China’s zero-Covid policy closes Shanghai Disney Resort for second time this year in advance of major trade exhibition
- Officials are guarding against an outbreak in advance of the upcoming China International Import Expo, which is set to draw 480,000 visitors, observer says
- Shanghai officials found 568 Covid-19 cases in October, prompting lockdowns for tens of thousands of residents in more than 20 residential areas
China’s zero-Covid policy has slammed shut the gates at Shanghai Disney Resort for the second time this year and the third time since the pandemic started, dealing another blow to the city’s beleaguered tourism sector as officials guard against an Omicron outbreak in advance of a major trade exhibition.
The resort, which comprises Disneyland, Disneytown, two themed hotels, Wishing Star Park and the Blue Sky Boulevard, will be temporarily closed to comply with the city’s virus control rules, the company said in a statement on Monday. It did not say when the resort would reopen.
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“A temporary close-down implies that local authorities are wary of a severe outbreak in the coming days,” said Meng Tianying, a senior executive at Shanghai-based consultancy Domo Medical. “Officials are anxious to put the outbreak under control soon because they want to ensure a smooth running of the upcoming China International Import Expo [CIIE].”
Disney did not elaborate on whether any positive cases were spotted inside the resort.