Busch Gardens, SeaWorld To Close After All Due To Coronavirus

TAMPA, FL — SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment has reversed it decision to remain open during the coronavirus outbreak. The company announced that it will close all 12 of its theme parks around the country starting Monday, March 16, and continuing through the end of the month.

The closures include Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Adventure Island and SeaWorld Orlando.

"As part of our continued commitment to the safety of our guests and ambassadors, and out of an abundance of caution, we are temporarily closing all our theme parks, effective March 16, through the end of the month," SeaWorld Parks said in a statement issued Friday.

Those with tickets to any of the venues while the parks are temporarily closed will be issued refunds. Visitors with vacation packages can either receive a refund or reschedule within the 72-hour cancellation window.

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The company said it will continue to pay its full-time employees during this period and will maintain essential personnel at the parks to care for the needs of the animals. The animal rescue and rehabilitation operations will also continue to operate.

SeaWorld Parks added that the parks' animals are in no danger from coronavirus.

"At this time, there is no evidence that coronavirus is transmissible from humans back to animals," said SeaWorld Parks in its statement. "According to the CDC, no animals in the United States have been identified with the virus. Our veterinarians and animal care specialists have a world-class health monitoring program in place designed to detect illness as early as possible. In addition, our veterinarians have reviewed the list of symptoms coronaviruses cause in animals as well as response plans. Any new information provided by the CDC, Association of Zoos and Aquariums, American Veterinary Medical Association and local public health offices is reviewed daily by our veterinary professionals to determine whether the risk to animal health has changed."

The announcement concerning the park closures comes on the weekend that Adventure Island in Tampa opened for the season and introduced America's first dual tailspin waterslide, Solar Vortex, on Saturday.

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