California’s theme parks and outdoor sports stadiums may reopen on April 1 under new reopening guidelines released on Friday by state public health officials, reports CBS Los Angeles.
The updated reopening guidelines allow theme parks in California to reopen with 15% of their capacity as of April 1, as soon as their counties reach the red level, or the second most restrictive level, of reopening. Capacity levels may change as soon as a theme park’s native county changes to orange and then yellow levels.
However, participation in the theme park will be limited to California residents at the reopening.
“With significantly lower case rates and hospitalizations, the arrival of three highly effective vaccines and targeted efforts to vaccinate the most vulnerable communities, California can gradually and safely begin to bring back more activities, especially those that take place outdoors. and where consistent masking is possible, “Dr. Mark Ghaly, secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency, said in a statement.
The announcement was good news for Disney President Ken Potrock.
“We are excited that the theme parks now have a way to reopen this spring, bringing thousands of people back to work and helping neighboring businesses and our entire community a lot,” he said in a statement.
The theme parks in California have been closed to visitors since last March, with the exception of limited-capacity eating events, such as the Taste of Boysenberry at Knott’s Berry Farm, and a “Touch of Disney” scheduled later this month.
Orange County, which is home to Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm, narrowly missed being moved to the red level this week.
UFCW Local 324, which represents Disney cast members working at Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure, applauded the news.
“Our Disney cast members are excited by the good news that Disney Parks will be reopened in a month. They have been laid off or unemployed for a year and are looking forward to getting back to work to provide some food to Californians more magic in their lives, “the union said in a statement.
The updated guidelines also allow outdoor sports and live performances with fans and participants to be restarted on April 1. While counties remain at the purple level, as Los Angeles County is currently, a stadium like Dodger Stadium will have to limit capacity to 100 resident locations or less. Advance reservations are required and concessions or sales will not be allowed in the lobby, in accordance with the guidelines.
After a county reaches the red level, capacity can expand to 20% and concession sales can be resumed to guests in their seats. In the orange layer, the capacity can increase to 33% and then to 67% in the yellow layer. Participation will still be limited to visitors in the state in all layers of reopening.
The Dodgers said they would soon announce health and safety protocols for fans, as well as a reduced capacity ticket policy.
“As the governor, we are optimistic that California will continue to make progress in the fight against COVID-19 and that we can safely host fans to start the season,” said Dodgers President and CEO Stan Kasten in a statement. .
The California Attractions and Parks Association also welcomed the new guidelines.
“The parks now have a structure to reopen with safety and responsibility,” said Erin Guerrero, CAPA’s executive director, in a statement. “We appreciate the government’s willingness to work with the state theme in the most subtle details of the plan so that the parks can reopen responsibly soon, putting people back to work safely and reinvigorating local economies.”