Disney has announced that it will be closing a number of its theme parks as a result of coronavirus.
Disneyland in California, Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Paris Resort are set to close their doors this weekend as a result of the spreading Covid-19 virus.
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Plus, the Disney Cruise Line will suspend all new departures beginning Saturday, too.
The theme parks will remain shut as a precaution until the start of April.
"The Walt Disney company will pay its cast members during that period," the company announced.
"The retail and dining complexes, Disney Springs at Walt Disney World and Disney Village at Disneyland Paris, will remain open."
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It added that "domestic" Walt Disney employees would be asked to work from home.
Disney parks very rarely shut altogether - but the company has insisted that doing so is in the best interests of employees and members of the public.
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The statement read: "We are proceeding with the closure of Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure, beginning the morning of March 14 through the end of the month.
"The Hotels of Disneyland Resort will remain open until Monday, March 16 to give guests the ability to make necessary travel arrangements; Downtown Disney will remain open.
"We will monitor the ongoing situation and follow the advice and guidance of federal and state officials and health agencies. Disney will continue to pay cast members during this time."
They promised: "Disneyland Resort will work with guests who wish to change or cancel their visits, and will provide refunds to those who have hotel bookings during this closure period.
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"We anticipate heavy call volume over the next several days and appreciate guests' patience as we work hard to respond to all inquiries."
Later on Thursday, Disney announced that Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Paris Resort will be closing too, starting on Sunday, with the closure also expected to last the same duration.
Disney's Shanghai, Hong Kong and Tokyo parks also closed their parks as a result of the outbreak.
The news came not long after the virus was officially labelled a pandemic by the World Health Organisation.
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Confirmed cases of the virus are currently topping 125,000 globally, but last night speaking during a press conference, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said scientists believe there are a great number more cases that have gone undiagnosed.
The UK government has now followed many other countries in entering the 'delay' phase of its four-fold plan to tackle the virus.
This means they are now introducing social restriction measures to slow the spread of the virus, such as staying in for seven days if you have a persistent cough, and advising elderly people to avoid cruise ships.
You can read the government's advice in full here.
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