Revellers snub coronavirus threat to cram onto rides at Chessington

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Ill-seekers? Revellers snub coronavirus threat so they can queue up and cram onto rides after Chessington throws open its gates despite official advice

  • Pleasureseekers have enjoyed days out at theme parks across the UK
  • Chessington World Of Adventures and Legoland remained open to the public 
  • Several including Drayton Manor, Thorpe Park and the London Eye have closed
  • Government advice recommends individuals to avoid ‘unneccessary gatherings’
  • Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?

By William Cole For Mailonline

Published: | Updated:

Thrill seekers have ignored the threat of the coronavirus for one last ride on  some theme park rides that have not closed their gates to the public.

Chessington World Of Adventures was one of the few attractions that accepted customers today ahead of their closure this weekend.

Legoland, which like Chessington is owned by Merlin Attractions, has also remained open but announced it will close from 5pm today.

Chessington World Of Adventures was one of the few attractions that accepted customers today ahead of their closure this weekend

The moves go against government advice over social distancing which was issued during Boris Johnson’s daily coronavirus press conference yesterday.

The parks industry had only recently begun soft openings following the end of their winter break, but dozens of families were seen ignoring advice to enjoy attractions with significantly reduced queues.

At Chessington there were only a few seats available on the Kobra Zamperla flat ride and Dragon’s Fury spinning roller coaster, two of the park’s main attractions.

At Chessington there were only a few seats available on the Kobra Zamperla flat ride, one of the park's main attractions

At Chessington there were only a few seats available on the Kobra Zamperla flat ride, one of the park’s main attractions

Friends enjoy a ride on the Dragon's Fury spinning roller coaster at the Surrey-based park

Friends enjoy a ride on the Dragon’s Fury spinning roller coaster at the Surrey-based park

The full car park outside indicated that the thrill-seekers had also ignored government advice against unneccessary travel.

However, customers did display their ability to keep a two-metre distance from each other at the Grufallo Show Arena, with several empty spaces on the attraction’s wooden benches.

The company announced that the park will be temporarily closed from tomorrow. 

Customers did display their ability to keep a two-metre distance from each other at the Grufallo Show Arena, with several empty spaces on the attraction's wooden benches

Customers did display their ability to keep a two-metre distance from each other at the Grufallo Show Arena, with several empty spaces on the attraction’s wooden benches

The full car park outside indicated that the thrill-seekers had also ignored government advice against unneccessary travel

The full car park outside indicated that the thrill-seekers had also ignored government advice against unneccessary travel

In a statement, the park said: ‘Further to recent updates from the Government on the response to the Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak, we have made the decision to close the Resort from Saturday 21st March 2020.

‘We believe that this is the right decision to protect the health and wellbeing of our guests and staff.

‘If you have pre-booked your short break (arriving 20th March) or Theme Park tickets for this weekend,

‘Chessington World of Adventures Resort will remain closed until further notice.’ 

WHAT SHOULD EVERYONE BE DOING TO STOP THE CORONAVIRUS SPREADING? 

  • Avoid social contact
  • Work from home if possible
  • Avoid pubs, clubs, theatres and other social venues
  • If someone in your household has symptoms of coronavirus (cough, fever or unusual shortness of breath), everyone in the home self-isolate for 14 days
  • If isolating, only go outside for exercise, and do it away from other people
  • Ask for help with daily necessities like food and medical supplies
  • If that is not possible – for example if you live in a remote area – you should limit social contact as much as possible
  • Vulnerable groups should self-isolate for 12 weeks from this weekend even if they have no symptoms – This includes people aged 70 and over and other adults who would normally be advised to have the flu vaccination, including people with chronic diseases such as chronic heart disease or chronic kidney disease, and pregnant women. A full list is here
  • All unnecessary visits to friends and relatives in care homes should end
  • Continue to take your children to school unless they or someone else in your home has symptoms of the coronavirus (cough, fever or unusual shortness of breath)
  • Londoners need to socially distance and work from home even more than the rest of the UK because the disease is more widespread there
  • Mass gatherings should not happen – they will no longer receive emergency services’ protection if they do go ahead