On Thursday, two members of the California Assembly, representing districts, had a major impact on the closure of Disneyland and Six Flags Magic Mountain, to sponsor a bill that would ban all theme parks in the “Orange – Moderate – Level 3” of the state Covid will post. 19 Industry guidance for amusement parks and theme parks. The lead in Governor Gavin Newsom’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy is currently limiting the opening of theme parks until the province in which they are located achieves the “Yellow – Minimal – Tier 4”.
Even then, the guest limit at parks would be 25% and indoor dining could only work at 25%. Disneyland, Magic Mountain and Knott’s Berry Farm all closed in March 2020.
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Amusement park operators have been talking for a long time about what they consider to be the overly restrictive demands that Newsom’s Blueprint places on them. They argue that there has not yet been a single documented case in a theme park, and the California Attractions and Parks Association (CAPA) has outlined its plan for strict virus prevention measures.
“We need to be in Tier three, along with other industries that have proven they can reopen responsibly,” Karen Irwin, President & COO, Universal Studios Hollywood said in October. “Our employees are ready to go back to work and the fact that they can only do so until well into next year is shameful.”
NEW: California Introduces Blueprint for a Safer Economy.
It’s simple.
Your province will get a color based on:
– Case rate
– Positivity rateYour color determines how businesses can function in your country.
Find your color and what’s open ➡️ https://t.co/xtXFwVeWc2 pic.twitter.com/fFXR7rbtU1
– Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) 28 August 2020
The bill is called AB 420, and is sponsored by members of the assembly, Sharon Quirk Silva (D-Buena Park, West Anaheim) and Suzette Valladares (R-Santa Clarita). Quirk-Silva is chairman and vice-chairman of Valladares for the media committee for arts, entertainment, sports, tourism and internet. Disneyland is of course in the buena Park adjacent Anaheim and Magic Mountain is in Santa Clarita.
The main reason for the bill is that authorities ‘should treat large and small theme parks equally’. In December 2020, state regulations were amended to reopen smaller theme parks in the moderate orange level, but to limit larger parks to remain closed until their cities reach the more difficult minimum – yellow – level. Read here a draft version of the language of the bill.
CAPA came out with a statement that strongly supports the legislators’ plan.
“We appreciate the members of the Quirk-Silva and Valladares Assembly for their leadership and for enacting legislation on the safe reopening of the theme park,” said Erin Guerrero, executive director of the California Association of Parks and Parks.
‘Globally, theme parks have proven to be able to reopen responsibly while protecting the health of guests and staff. Science and data show that this can be done. California needs to allow theme parks to reopen in Orange – Moderate – Level 3. ”
Newsom did not agree. Although he did not quote any specific information, the governor says the danger is obvious.
“It goes without saying,” Newsom said last autumn, “we need to be concerned about the opening of a large theme park, which by definition mixes people from all possible societies and puts the transmission rate at risk.”
“Nearly a year after parks closed in response to the pandemic, tens of thousands of workers remain out of work, while local businesses, communities around theme parks and local governments have consistently had negative consequences,” Guerrero said Thursday.
“COVID transmission rates are improving and the spread of vaccinations is underway, but the major theme parks in California have no timeline and no realistic path to reopening if led into the ‘Yellow-Minimal – Tier 4’ of state leadership.”
Newsom said Wednesday he sees “the light at the end of the tunnel,” citing increased vaccinations and lower cases. But while he apparently followed other attitudes toward closure, such as insisting on staying closed this past spring and the ban on eating in restaurants, the governor has yet to step down at the state amusement park.
Guerrero and others wish he would. But in Newsom’s lack of action, they applaud the bill being introduced.
“California’s iconic theme parks are key economic drivers for the state and local regions,” she said. “AB 420 is needed so that theme parks plan to reopen responsibly and contribute back to the economic recovery of our state.”