California theme parks could reopen on April 1 under updated state Department of Health guidelines after a year of coronavirus closures that cost the parks billions and forced them to shed tens of thousands of jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The new California theme park guidelines and opening date are part of a refresh of Govin Newsom’s four-pressure level for a safer economy.
California theme parks have been closed since March 2020 under the COVID-19 guidelines for state and health reopening issued by the state. Many parks have been partially reopened for special occasions and food festivals without rides.
The Newsom administration’s “Blueprint Refresh” allows Disneyland, Universal Studios Hollywood, Knott’s Berry Farm, Six Flags Magic Mountain, SeaWorld San Diego, Legoland California and other California theme parks to reopen on April 1 once the provinces where they are located is, the red / significant level 2 risk status.
As of April 1, California theme parks can reopen at 15% in the red / substantial level 2, 25% in the orange / moderate level 3 and 35% in the lowest yellow / minimal level 4.
Attendance at the theme park is restricted to California residents. Updated guidelines will be worked out in the next few weeks in collaboration with theme parks.
“We appreciate the government’s willingness to work with the state’s theme parks on the finer details of the plan, so that parks can soon reopen responsibly, which can put people back to work safely and stimulate local economies anew,” he said. said Erin Guerrero, executive director of California, a statement.
Most California-themed major theme parks still remain in the most restrictive press / widespread Level 1 risk level – including Orange (Disneyland and Knott’s), Los Angeles County (Universal Studios Hollywood and Six Flags Magic Mountain), San Diego (SeaWorld and Legoland) )) and Solano (Six Flags Discovery Kingdom).
Orange and Los Angeles counties are expected to move into the red / substantial Level 2 next week – meaning Disneyland, Disney California Adventure, Universal Studios Hollywood, Knott’s, Berry Farm and Six Flags Magic Mountain will reopen on April 1.
Santa Clara County – home to California’s Greater America – is currently in the red / significant level 2 risk level. The Santa Clara theme park has already set a May 22 reopening date.
Under the revised theme park guidelines, indoor rides and attractions must maintain a capacity of 15% in the red level and 25% in the orange and yellow levels, while outdoor rides and attractions can accommodate more riders, provided social distance commands are followed.
The move is a sudden sight of the ‘slow, stubborn and strict’ approach to reopening California theme parks that the Newsom government used last fall.
In October, California officials issued separate reopening guidelines for smaller and larger theme parks in the state – with small parks allowed to reopen in orange / moderate level 3, while large parks could return in yellow / minimal level 4. Attendance was set at 25% at both levels.
The California Amusement and Park Association said the initial guidelines, issued in October, would keep the state’s major theme parks “indefinitely closed.”
The “Blueprint Refresh” no longer makes a distinction between large and small California theme parks.
The administration of Newsom has been under pressure from the theme park industry for months to review the reopening guidelines.
The turnaround by the Newsom government comes days before the one-year anniversary of the closure of the California theme parks coronavirus in mid-March 2020. It also comes weeks after the New York government, Andrew Cuomo, announced outdoor parks can reopen in April. 9 – which makes it likely that California theme parks will be in the US for the last time. A legal bill passed by members of the California Assembly in February will speed up the reopening of theme parks and override state guidelines.
Ken Potrock, president of the Disneyland resort, said the announcement provides a path to the reopening of California theme parks.
“We are encouraged that the theme parks should now reopen in the spring, get thousands of people back to work and help neighboring businesses and our entire community greatly,” Potrock said in a statement. “With responsible Disney security protocols already implemented around the world, we can’t wait to welcome our guests back and look forward to sharing an opening date soon.”
According to city officials, the extensive closure of Disneyland had a “profound and devastating” impact on Anaheim workers.
“It will mean so much to our working families and small businesses that have suffered so much while our largest businesses have been closed over the past year,” Anaheim Mayor Harry Sidhu said in a statement. “Disney has gone to great lengths to be ready for a safe and responsible reopening, and everyone needs to feel comfortable and confident to return to Anaheim.”
United Food and Commercial Workers, representing members of Disneyland’s cast, welcomed the move by the Newsom government.
“Our members of the Disney cast are delighted with this good news today that Disney parks will reopen in a month’s,” UFCW Local 324 President Andrea Zinder said in a statement. “They have been sitting or unemployed for a year now and are excited to go back to work to offer Californians more magic in their lives.”
Karen Irwin, president of Universal Studios Hollywood, said the park is eager to return.
“We are ready to reopen, ready to get our team members back to work, ready to help stimulate the local economy and ready to welcome guests,” Irwin said in a statement.
Six Flags Magic Mountain plans to announce an opening date soon.
“We are delighted with the Governor’s announcement and are eager to welcome our guests back to Six Flags Magic Mountain with a complete complement to our world – class sub-benches in a safe outdoor environment,” Magic Mountain officials said in ‘ a statement said. “In the near future, an official opening date will be posted on our website and social channels.”
Staff Writer Alicia Robinson contributed to this report.