California health officials on Tuesday issued long-awaited guidelines for reopening theme parks in the state, setting targets when attractions such as Disneyland Resort, Anaheim and Universal Studios Hollywood in Los Angeles could open their doors. For large parks, that could go a long way: their counties must reach at least the restricted “yellow” level of the state’s four-tier Covid-19 economic-regeneration plan.
In terms of coronavirus cases, Disneyland’s home, Orange County, is currently “red” or second, and Universal Studios’ Los Angeles County is currently at the most restricted “purple” level. It may be months before the county completes the guidelines for any “yellow” level, for which there should be less than one case per 100,000 inhabitants per day and a test positivity rate of less than 2 percent. The parks have been closed since March.
Secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency, Dr. Mark Galli released the guidelines in a video conference on Tuesday and said he believes the tire guidelines can be reached. He said San Francisco County has found them.
“We can do a lot of work together – to reduce transmission in our county – state, local, business leaders, community leaders, individuals – and to ensure there is a way forward.” Said. “We don’t know when, but we know how, and I think we’ll work hard to get one county there at a time.”
However, Disneyland Resort President Ken Potrock said In a statement That guidelines are “arbitrary” and “invalid”.
“We have proven that with strict enforcement of science-based health and safety protocols on our theme park properties around the world, we can responsibly reopen,” Mr Potrock said. “Nevertheless, the state of California continues to ignore this fact, instead forcing arbitrary guidance that it knows it is inefficient and that it keeps us on a completely different scale from reopened businesses and state-run facilities.”
When the parks reopen, they will have to implement a reservation system, which will allow guests to book a visit ahead of time. Guests will also have to check in for signs and mandate masks everywhere inside the park, except where people pick up and drink. Large parks such as Disneyland and Universal Studios Hollywood will have to limit capacity to 25 percent.
Small parks in California can reopen when they reach the third or “orange” level. Depending on which number is less they will be allowed up to 25 percent capacity or 500 guests, and will only be visited by people from the park’s home county.
Disney World, the company’s Orlando, Fla., Park, reopened in July with strict social distance and capacity requirements and no major outbreak of coronavirus associated with the park. But due to low attendance the company has started layoffs there. The epidemic has cut off many of Disney’s business lines, including movies, theater productions and cruises. Disneyland earned an estimated 8 8.8 billion last year, according to media analyst Michael Nathanson.
On Monday, a coalition of unions representing thousands of Disneyland workers told California Governor Gavin News that they were generally satisfied with the health measures announced by the company for safe operation.
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