https://www.ocregister.com/2020/05/...theme-parks-can-reopen-in-stage-3-state-says/
Disneyland and other California theme parks currently closed by the COVID-19 pandemic can reopen during Stage 3 of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s four-stage road map for reopening the state’s economy, according to state officials.
Disneyland, Universal Studios Hollywood, Knott’s Berry Farm, Six Flags Magic Mountain, SeaWorld San Diego, Legoland California and other theme parks fall into Stage 3 of California’s road map for reopening, according to state officials.
“Theme parks are slated to open in Stage 3 if the rate of spread of COVID-19 and hospitalizations remain stable,” according to California Health and Human Services Agency spokesperson Kate Folmar.
Newsom said California could move into Stage 3 in June.
“Phase 3 is not a year away. It’s not six months away. It’s not even three months away. It may not even be more than a month away,” Newsom said during a daily press briefing in mid-May. “We just want to make sure we have a protocol in place to secure customer safety, employee safety and allow the businesses to thrive in a way that is sustainable.”
Newsom has not set a specific date when Stage 3 could begin in California.
“The science and data of how COVID-19 hospitalizations are progressing, how prepared hospitals are for increased cases and whether hospitals have adequate personal protective equipment will guide when the state enters stage 3,” Folmar said via email.
California theme parks are among the “higher risk” businesses and gatherings that would reopen in Stage 3 with adaptations and limits on the size of gatherings, according to Folmar.
“The California Department of Public Health will issue detailed guidance with suggested modifications for how to minimize the risk of COVID-19 spread when theme parks reopen,” Folmar said via email.
Other Stage 3 close-contact businesses and gatherings include salons, gyms, theaters, religious services, weddings and sporting events without live audiences.
The state will work with California theme parks on developing COVID-19 health and safety reopening plans, according to Folmar.
“We will work with employers and employees on developing guidance,” Folmar said via email.
The state could issue guidance on theme parks in the “near term,” according to Anaheim spokesman Mike Lyster.
Disneyland has not submitted a COVID-19 health and safety reopening plan to the city, county or state, according to Lyster. Anaheim will be closely watching the phased reopenings of Shanghai Disneyland in China and the Walt Disney World resort in Florida to learn best practices, according to Lyster.
“Disney is fantastic at crowd control,” Lyster said by phone.
The Shanghai Disneyland theme park reopened with advance reservations on May 11. The Disney Springs and Universal CityWalk outdoor malls at the theme park resort properties in Florida have reopened with new health and safety protocols.
Legoland Florida plans to reopen on June 1. Universal Orlando is scheduled to reopen on June 5. SeaWorld Orlando hopes to reopen in June. Disney World is expected to submit a theme park reopening plan to Florida officials this week.
No California theme parks have announced firm reopening dates after 10 weeks of coronavirus closures.
Cases + hospitalizations are both declining and testing and tracing is increasing
