California’s theme parks and outdoor sports stadiums could reopen immediately after April 1, according to new reopening guidelines released Friday by state public health officials, CBS Los Angeles reports.
The updated reopening guidelines allow California theme parks to reopen at 15% capacity as of April 1, once their counties reach the red or second most restrictive reopening level. Capacity levels will be able to change once the home county of a theme park improves to orange and then yellow levels.
However, the theme park will be limited to California residents upon reopening.
“With significantly lower case rates and hospitalizations, the arrival of three highly effective vaccines, and targeted efforts to vaccinate the most vulnerable communities, California can start gradually and safely by bringing back more activities, especially those that take place outdoors and where consistent masking is possible “Dr. Mark Ghaly, secretary of the California Agency for Health and Human Services, said in a statement.
The announcement was welcome news for Disneyland President Ken Potrock.
“We are encouraged that theme parks now have a way to reopen this spring, bringing thousands of people back to work and greatly helping neighboring businesses and our entire community,” he said in a statement.
California theme parks have been closed to visitors since March last year, with the exception of limited-capacity food events such as this weekend’s Boysenberry Taste at Knott’s Berry Farm and a “Touch of Disney” scheduled for later this month.
Orange County, which hosts Disneyland and Knott’s Berry, just missed being moved to the red level this week.
UFCW Local 324, which represents members of the Disney cast working at Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure, applauded the news.
“Our members of the Disney cast are delighted with this good news today that Disney Parks will reopen in a month. They have been trained or have been out of work for a year and are excited to return to work to give Californians a little more magic in their lives, “the union said in a statement.
The updated guidelines also allow outdoor sports and live performances with fans and attendees to begin again on April 1st. While counties remain in the purple level, as Los Angeles County is currently, a stadium like Dodger Stadium will have to limit capacity to 100 local residents or fewer. Advanced reservations will be required and no concessions or sales will be allowed in the competition hall, in accordance with the guidelines.
Once a county improves at the red level, capacity can expand to 20%, and concession sales can resume for guests in their seats. In the orange level, the capacity can increase to 33% and then to 67% in the yellow level. Attendance will continue to be limited to internal visitors at all levels of reopening.
The Dodgers said they will soon announce health and safety protocols for fans, as well as a ticket policy for reduced capacity.
“Like the Governor, we are optimistic that California will continue to make progress in the fight against COVID-19 and that we can safely accommodate fans to start the season,” said Stan Kasten, president and CEO of the Dodgers.
The California Amusement and Parks Association also welcomed the new guidelines.
“Parks now have a framework for safe and responsible reopening,” Erin Guerrero, CAPA’s executive director, said in a statement. “We appreciate the readiness of the administration to work on the state theme to the finer details of the plan, so that the parks can be reopened soon, putting people safe at work and reviving local economies.”