People have been longing for Disneyland and other theme parks in California to reopen in the ongoing pandemic.
Good news for anyone longing to visit Disneyland and other popular theme parks in California! The state has finally given the go-ahead for the parks to reopen on April 1st. However, restrictions will be in place for health and safety of both guests and staff members.
Disneyland to open in April
The California Department of Public Health made the announcement on Friday. They said Disneyland, Universal Studios and other theme parks, as well as sports stadiums in California, are allowed to reopen starting April 1st.
Obviously, the parks must make every effort to protect their guests and staff members. This means there will be a limit on numbers and mask wearing will be required in the parks. The public health department said reopening required “significantly reduced capacity, mandatory masking and other public health precautions” due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Health and safety measures
California has a four-tier reopening risk system. The number of guests allowed in the parks will depend on the number of coronavirus cases in the counties in which they are located. When it comes to theme parks, counties in the “red” tier – the second-highest risk category – will be limited to 15 percent capacity.
Those in the “orange” tier will be limited to 25 percent capacity, while those in the “yellow” tier can host 35 percent of their normal capacity. Disneyland is located in Orange County, which is currently in the highest-risk “purple” tier. However, according to local news reports, this may soon move into the “red” tier. However, it should be noted that attendance will be restricted to in-state visitors.
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Outdoor sports stadiums and live performance venues
Meanwhile, outdoor sports stadiums and live performance venues will have a different set of reopening criteria. Under the scheme, some will be able to reopen even if they are in the high-risk “purple” tier. However, limits on capacity will be similar to those in theme parks.
Dr. Mark Ghaly, secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency, said in a statement, “With case rates and hospitalizations significantly lower, the arrival of three highly effective vaccines and targeted efforts aimed at vaccinating the most vulnerable communities, California can begin gradually and safely bringing back more activities, especially those that occur outdoors and where consistent masking is possible,”.
Disneyland closing last year
Fans of Disneyland may remember that the park closed on March 14th, 2020, as COVID-19 cases spiked across the US. This led to Disney having to lay off thousands of theme park employees.
The park has also taken a significant financial hit over the closures. According to CNN, in Disney’s latest fiscal quarter, revenue for the parks division was down 53 percent, to $3.6 billion. During a call with investors in February, the company said it estimated “the total net adverse impact of COVID-19 on segment operating income in the quarter was approximately $2.6 billion.”
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Better safe than sorry
As for Disney World in Florida, that park was also forced to close in March last year. However, the park reopened in July with limited capacity and other restrictions. However, California is taking a more cautious approach than Florida, while Disney executives have been pushing officials in California to allow the theme parks and other venues to reopen.
— Disney Parks News (@DisneyParksNews) March 5, 2021
Meanwhile, the president of Disneyland Resort, Ken Potrock, made a statement via Twitter with the new reopening date. He said Disneyland will be “getting thousands of people back to work and greatly helping neighboring businesses and our entire community.”
So, readers, some good news coming out of Disneyland! Are you planning on visiting in the near future? Do you live in the state?
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