This picture taken on May 4, 2020 shows workers walking in the grounds of the currently closed local theme park, Ocean Park, in Hong Kong. (PHOTO / AFP)

HONG KONG — The Hong Kong Ocean Park is preparing to reopen in the next few weeks in light of improving signs of the COVID-19 pandemic, chief executive of the theme park Matthias Li said on Friday.

The Ocean Park has been closed since late January to avoid the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Li told a press conference that the closure was "an unprecedented move" and the financial situation has reached an all-time low.

The theme park is expected to reopen in the next few weeks and will focus on local visitors in the short run

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The theme park is expected to reopen in the next few weeks and will focus on local visitors in the short run. Also, the park will launch an array of special offers upon reopening, and work with the Hong Kong Tourism Board on further promotional activities, according to Li.

The Ocean Park will halve its capacity for rides and facilities, shorten its opening hours to run from 10 am to 6 pm, and encourage visitors to make advance reservations online instead of queuing up to keep social distancing.

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On reopening, all visitors and staff are required to undergo temperature checks at the entrance and wear face masks inside the park.

The park has sprayed disinfectant on main facilities, and installed disinfection carpets and hand sanitizer dispensers at entrances of all animal exhibits. All programs allowing visitors to get closer to animals will be suspended.

As of Friday, Hong Kong has reported no local infections of COVID-19 for 19 consecutive days.