PM signals potential date for Towers tickets to ride
ALTON Towers could be just weeks away from opening its gates again after Boris Johnson outlined the Government’s road map to reopening the country after nearly a year of living with Covid-19.
The Prime Minister told MPS that from April 12 at the earliest, a big chunk of the economy would be permitted to open again, including outdoor settings such as beer gardens, zoos and theme parks.
This would come soon after the scheduled reopening of outdoor sport facilities on March 29, the date that people would also be allowed to travel outside of their local areas.
Alton Towers’ hotels, spa, waterpark and golf are all currently closed due to lockdown. If you had a trip or short break booked to the Staffordshire site, these are cancelled up to and including February 28. The resort is contacting those affected.
Before the Prime Minister made his statement to Parliament on Monday, Alton Towers’ parent firm Merlin Entertainments had said it should be able to open the theme park – as well as attractions like Warwick Castle, the National Sea Life Centre and Legoland Discovery Centre - at the same time as nonessential retail.
Under the Prime Minister’s roadmap, this would also happen from April 12 at the earliest.
Merlin said in a statement before publication of the road map: “Following the end of the second lockdown before Christmas, indoor entertainment centres had to remain closed, despite their multitude of Covid-19 safety precautions, and outdoor entertainment centres, whilst being able to remain open, were only able to do so in a very limited capacity, with accommodation and many of their indoor attractions being closed. Meanwhile, non-essential retail (shops, gyms, hairdressers and garden centres) were allowed to open fully including in Tier 3 areas.
“This is despite retail outlets having hundreds of customers through their doors, with no records kept, and in contrast to Merlin’s attractions where all tickets are pre-purchased and visitor contact details are provided.”
Merlin says it supports plans to combat Covid and does not want to open its attractions before it is safe to do so. Safety measures would include temperature checks, social distances and the wearing of masks by guests and staff.
Alton Towers operations director Francis Jackson said: “Our guests have always been able to spend quality time and create lasting memories with their loved ones at our attractions and now, more than ever, Merlin has an important role to play in promoting the wellbeing of our visitors in a safe and low-risk environment.
“Our attractions can help promote healthier, happier and more connected communities, whilst addressing many of the most pressing health, social and environmental challenges we will face following the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We know it will be an invaluable benefit to these communities for us to reopen as soon as it’s safe to do so.” Mr Johnson said he was “very optimistic” he will be able to fully remove all of England’s coronavirus restrictions on June 21 but warned “nothing can be guaranteed”. The Prime Minister urged the nation to be “prudent” by continuing to follow the rules after publishing his road map to gradually lift the third national lockdown over the coming months.
Facing criticism from some Tory MPS over the pace of change, Mr Johnson said he was “hopeful” that all legal controls can be removed on the final date earmarked in his fourstep plan.
Mr Johnson also announced that senior minister Michael Gove will lead a review into the possible use of vaccine passports to access currently closed venues, such as pubs and theatres.