Jaws returns, as Universal Studios Japan to reopen this month

ORIENTAL LAND

01/06/2020 08:56

TOKYO, June 1 (Reuters) - Jaws is back. So are the herd of
Hippogriffs from Hogwarts, and the T.Rex from Jurassic Park as
Universal Studios Japan said on Monday its theme park in Osaka
would open later this month for the first time since closing in
March due to the coronavirus.
    The Japanese theme park operator owned by U.S. cable and
media company Comcast Corp  CMCSA.O  said it would reopen on
June 8 to residents of Osaka Prefecture, and to residents of
nearby regions from June 19.
    Universal Studios Japan's (USJ) reopening comes after the
Asian nation lifted its state of emergency on Osaka Prefecture
and surrounding regions on May 21 following a sustained fall in
the number of coronavirus infections in the area.
    On its website, USJ said visitors will be required to wear
face masks on park grounds at all times. They will have their
temperature checked before entry, and will be required to follow
social distancing rules on rides and other attractions, it
added.
    Other businesses, along with schools, and museums have been
slowly reopening around the country in the past two weeks.
Department stores and cinemas in Tokyo opened their doors for
the first time since April, after the city ended its state of
emergency last week.
    While residents of Osaka and nearby areas will soon be able
to reunite with the blood-thirsty great white shark and sip
Harry Potter's favourite butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks
inn, fans of Mickey Mouse and his friends will have to wait
longer to visit Tokyo Disneyland.
    In a statement, theme park operator Oriental Land Co
 4661.T  said on Monday it would extend the closure of Tokyo
Disneyland, and consider the government's timing of lifting
restrictions on businesses and its own operations in deciding
when to reopen the Walt Disney Co  DIS.N  theme park.  

 (Reporting by Naomi Tajitsu; Editing by Muralikumar
Anantharaman)
 ((naomi.tajitsu@thomsonreuters.com; +81364411078; Reuters
Messaging: naomi.tajitsu.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))