Thousands Locked In Disney Location, Can’t Leave Without Permission
Disney Shanghai was keeping patrons inside the park until they could provide negative Covid tests after an outbreak in the area
China implemented a zero-Covid policy that is wreaking havoc across the country. Some videos showcasing the country’s draconian measures have leaked out, allowing the world to see the impact on average Chinese citizens. And now there is news that high-profile venues, like Disney, are being forced to shut their doors to prevent the spread of Covid.
On Saturday, Shanghai became the latest to experience the effects of China’s zero-Covid policy. The city reported 10 cases, all transmitted locally. The policy procedures rapidly followed suit.
One of the requirements of the China zero-Covid policy is that immediate lockdowns commence. And when those lockdowns go into effect, it doesn’t matter where anyone is. So individuals end up trapped inside work, shops, or office buildings.
And that is exactly what happened to visitors to the Disney park in Shanghai. The gates to Disney Shanghai, and surrounding areas, were promptly shut just after 11:30 local time (3:30 GMT). Multiple videos online show visitors to the theme park racing to leave before the gates closed.
Users posted videos of the attempted escapes to the Chinese social media site Weibo. More videos surfaced showing similar panic at other spots, including the local Ikea. But according to the Chinese government, those Disney goers and everyone else in Shanghai have to stay put for the time being.
The government issued instructions via the Chinese social media site WeChat. They said that Shanghai Disney would bar entry for the foreseeable future. And anyone trapped inside had to remain until they provided a negative Covid test result.
Additionally, the post stipulated that anyone who had visited the Disney park in the previous three days had different guidelines. Those individuals must provide three negative Covid tests over the next three days. And at the time of publication, neither Shanghai Disney nor the city government alluded to when the park might reopen.
This closure is not the first time Disney has had to navigate China’s strict Covid policies. In November 2021, the park had to close its doors abruptly. And that time, over 30,000 people were trapped inside.
According to BBC reporting, there is no indication that China will let up on its stringent policies anytime soon. Chinese President Xi Jinping made the news in October when he stated that it’s a “people’s war to stop the spread of the virus”. His goal is to wipe out all Covid outbreaks.
Interestingly, China has some of the lowest Covid numbers globally, making Xi Jinping’s policies seem even more heavy-handed. Out of 1.45 billion Chinese citizens, there are only roughly 1,000 new Covid cases daily. But that relatively good news is not good enough for the President.
So, there are currently about 200 lockdowns across China that are impacting millions of people. It is a tremendous burden for individuals to bear. And it is also taking a significant financial toll on the country.
But at least those stuck in the Disney park have one thing going for them. The park will continue running its rides for the duration. So those stuck inside get a little longer dose of fun.
