California released its long-awaited guidance for how theme parks in the state can safely reopen and it appears Disneyland will likely stay closed for several more weeks.
California will allow large theme parks to reopen with modifications when the counties where they’re located move into the state’s least-restrictive “yellow” tier, a change that likely puts theme parks at least weeks — and potentially months — away from resuming operations.
Orange County, where Disneyland is located, is currently in the second, “red” tier of the state’s four-tier reopening system, which represents a “substantial” spread of the virus. Under state guidelines, all theme parks must remain closed under this tier. Disney’s California Adventure theme park will also remain closed because Los Angeles County is also in a “widespread” tier.
The announcement was made Tuesday by California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly, who released the state’s much-anticipated reopening protocols for theme parks during the COVID-19 pandemic. The guidelines had been expected earlier this month but were delayed.
When theme parks do welcome back guests, larger locations will have to limit capacity to 25% and must require advance reservations, Ghaly said. Visitors will also have to wear face masks while in the parks, except when eating and drinking.
Just minutes after California’s Director of Health and Human Services on Tuesday unveiled restrictive new guidelines under which amusement parks in the state could reopen, the industry fired back.
“We have proven that we can responsibly reopen, with science-based health and safety protocols strictly enforced at our theme park properties around the world,” said Disneyland Resort president Ken Potrock. “Nevertheless, the State of California continues to ignore this fact, instead mandating arbitrary guidelines that it knows are unworkable and that hold us to a standard vastly different from other reopened businesses and state-operated facilities.”
Disney reopened its Florida theme parks in July with safety protocols and health measures that included reduced capacity at its parks and requiring all employees and guests to wear masks.