UPDATE: Universal Studios has announced their California and Florida locations will remain closed through April 19, 2020. The original article follows.
UPDATE 2: Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood have extended their closure through to the end of May and are planning staff pay reductions due to an uncertain future and date of re-opening.
We are extending the closure of Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood at least through May 31 as we continue to respond to current conditions and make the health and safety of team members and guests our top priority. This includes our theme parks and Universal CityWalk at both destinations. The Universal Orlando Resort hotels have also temporarily suspended operations through this time period. We will continue to monitor the situation and make adjustments as needed, based on guidance from health agencies and government officials.
In addition, we have communicated with our team members today and have this to share:
Taking care of our team members during this difficult and challenging time remains one of our most important priorities. We are working hard to find solutions that also allow us to sustain our business. Our team members will be paid at 100 percent through April 19, but as we enter a more prolonged closure period, we need to take additional measures. Beginning April 20, nearly all our team members will be paid at 80 percent of their pay – and we will ask them to adjust their work accordingly. A small group of team members will be asked to continue working at 100 percent and will continue to be paid at that level. We have also made the difficult decision that we will furlough our part-time hourly workers beginning May 3. During this time, we will fully cover the cost of benefit plans for those team members who have them. All of these team members remain in our thoughts – and, while we don’t yet know when, we look forward to returning them to work one day.
Original article as follows:
Universal Studios Hollywood is closing through the end of March due to coronavirus concerns. Recently, the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus a pandemic, causing civilians around the world to take additional security precautions against the aggressive virus. Amid coronavirus concerns, events around the globe are being postponed or canceled, including South by Southwest (SXSW), video game convention E3, and the premiere of James Bond film No Time To Die.
Universal Studios Hollywood released a statement following California Gov. Gavin Newsom's ban of gatherings of more than 250 in the state:
The health and safety of our team members and guests is always our top priority. 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 will remain open. We will provide timely updates as conditions evolve.
With a tally surpassing 124,500 cases worldwide, the coronavirus has caused an upheaval in travel sectors, the stock market, the health care system, and the entertainment industry. Now, Universal Studios Hollywood joins the growing roster of establishments locking their doors amid COVID-19 concerns. Starting March 14, Universal Studios in Hollywood will be closed. Universal City Walk will remain open, and the iconic theme park is eyeing a reopening date of March 28.
Home to iconic attractions, including Transformers: The Ride 3D, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and Jurassic World - The Ride, Universal Studios Hollywood's decision to close arrives on the heels of New York City's Broadway theaters going dark and Disneyland officially closing the park in Anaheim, beginning March 14.