Universal Theme Parks to Remain Closed Into April

Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood will remain closed beyond the original March 28 reopening date that Universal announced March 12. "We are extending the closure of Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood through April 19 as we continue to respond to current conditions and make the health and safety of team members and guests our top priority," Universal said in a statement posted Tuesday. "This includes our theme parks and Universal CityWalk at both destinations. The Universal Orlando Resort hotels have also temporarily suspended operations. We will continue to monitor the situation and make adjustments as needed, based on guidance from health agencies and government officials." Our original report follows. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Universal has shut down operations at the Universal Studios theme park, with current plans to reopen as of March 28 at this time. Variety reports that in response to and in order to help contain the spread of novel coronavirus COVID-19, Universal will be closed starting March 14. “The health and safety of our team members and guests is always our top priority,” Universal Studios spokesperson told Variety. “Out of an abundance of caution and in response to the guidance provided by the California Department of Public Health, Universal Studios Hollywood will temporarily close beginning Saturday, March 14. The theme park anticipates reopening on March 28 as we continue to monitor the situation." Universal CityWalk, however, will remain open. Universal joins Disneyland and Disney California Adventure in closing in response to efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19. Those two parks, however, are closed indefinitely as of this time. News of Disney World's closure has yet to be announced, and that park is operating normally as of press time. The film world has also seen several changes due to efforts to contain COVID-19. Universal Pictures earlier announced nearly a year's delay for the release date of Fast 9. And Disney has delayed the releases of Mulan, as well as pushed the release dates for New Mutants and Antlers. IGN spoke with a number of medical experts to learn how movie delays may help stop the spread of COVID-19. Events like E3 2020 and SXSW that bring large amounts of people together have closed as well.