California has paved the way for fans to attend opening day baseball games and for tourists to return to Disneyland, almost a year after coronavirus restrictions covered important entertainment venues.
On Friday, the state relaxed guidelines for reopening outdoor venues, while the fall and winter growth seemed to end, Covid-19 infection rates, hospitalizations and deaths declining and vaccination rates rising.
The new public health rules would allow the reopening of live concerts in stadiums and sports arenas, with limited participation from 1 April. Also, amusement parks will be allowed to reopen in counties that have fallen from the state’s purple level – the most restrictive – to the red level. In all cases, the capacity of the park will be limited and Covid-19 safety rules, such as the requirements for wearing a mask, will apply.
The move followed a landmark week, with California speeding up vaccinations for the poorest neighborhoods, counties reopening more companies, and Gov. Gavin Newsom passed a measure to encourage schools that restricted students from learning online to reopen classrooms this month .
“The constant openness is consistent with the data. As cases decline, we want to return to work and school, ”said Dr. Jeffrey Klausner, a clinical professor of preventive medicine at the University of Southern California. “Outdoor activities, in particular, have always had a low risk. Opening these sites makes sense. ”
Thousands of workers were laid off by Disneyland, Universal Studios Hollywood, Knott’s Berry Farm and other large locations. Ten thousand lost their jobs at Disneyland alone and its related attractions in Orange County, not to mention the knock-on effect of nearby restaurants and hotels.
Andrea Zinder, president of the local Food and Commerce Workers’ Union, which represents Disney workers, said employees are “excited to get back to work and give Californians a little more magic in their lives.”
Most of the major theme parks are in Southern California, which is still in the purple category. However, Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties were expected to reopen in the next few weeks as Covid-19 numbers decline.
Only 16 of 58 counties are in the red level and two small counties are in the orange level. None is yet in the yellow level, the smallest and least restrictive. Red theme parks will be limited to a capacity of 15%. Outdoor sports will be limited to 100 people in the purple level, but will increase to 67% in the yellow level.
San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Angels and Oakland As all announced, they will have fans in the stands for the opening day of April 1. The Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants are starting their seasons on the road and have said they will announce their plans later.
Teams and event organizers can sell regional tickets only in the purple category. At other levels, teams and organizers can sell tickets to anyone living in California. Concessions at the purple level will not be allowed, while in others, concession sales will be available only at venues.
The faster reopening rate is linked to a new vaccination plan for California’s most vulnerable residents. Once 2 million people in 400 postcodes in the most disadvantaged neighborhoods receive at least one dose of vaccine, it will be easier for counties to leave the most restrictive level in the state. Once 4 million people in these neighborhoods are vaccinated, the counties will be able to open even more.
A year ago, Newsom imposed a statewide home restraining order that restricted travel, closed businesses and forced millions of people to remain unemployed. California still has some of the toughest restrictions in any state and continues to discourage out-of-state visitors.
The state is hoping for a complete reopening to inoculate enough of its 40 million people to stop widespread infections. More than 10 million doses had been administered just three months after the first administration, the state department of public health said. Just over 3 million people have been completely vaccinated, or about 10% of the population aged 16 and over.
There are signs of hope. This week, the seven-day average rate of positive test results fell to 2.2% this week, a record high. Although pressure has developed for the reopening of the economy, health officials said the changes in guidelines were more cautious and measured than a broad approach.
“We will … keep our feet on the brakes, not the gas, our eyes on the road, our hands on the steering wheel and we will navigate based on data and science,” said Dr. Mark Ghaly, secretary of the state agency for health and human services.