Six Flags temporarily closes Mexico City theme park

NEW YORK, April 30 (Reuters) - Theme park operator Six Flags SIXF.OB has temporarily closed its Mexico City park at the request of the country's government, which recently ordered a partial economic shutdown to stem the swine flu outbreak.

The 110-acre theme park will be closed until at least May 5, company spokeswoman Sandra Daniels said on Thursday.

Mexican President Felipe Calderon told government offices and private businesses not crucial to the economy to shut down from May 1-5 to avoid further spreading the H1N1 flu strain.

Worldwide, 12 countries have reported cases of swine flu virus and Mexico has been the worst hit with 176 deaths.

Over the weekend, Six Flags had closed all indoor areas in the park in Mexico including restaurants, indoor rides and show venues to head off the pandemic.

The park, which Six Flags opened in 2000, was not open on Monday and Tuesday as part of normal operating hours, unrelated to the outbreak. (Reporting by Deepa Seetharaman, editing by Maureen Bavdek)