Theme park reopening plan coming ‘as soon as possible,’ state official says

California state officials plan to issue guidelines “as soon as possible” that would allow Disneyland, Universal Studios Holly wood and other theme parks to reopen after nearly seven months of coronavirus closures.

California Health and Human Services Secretar y Mark Ghaly commented on efforts to finalize theme park reopening guidelines with the help of Disneyland, Universal Studios Hollywood and other industry stakeholders during a news conference on Tuesday, Oct. 6.

“I’m not sure when those conversations will wrap up,” Ghaly said during the press conference. “I will tell you that they will wrap up as soon as we come to really hear the industry and understand some of the concerns. We continue to look at the data and information that we have. So, no promise of a specific date, but I will say as soon as possible.”

Disne yla nd , Disne y California Adventure, Universal Studios Holly wood, K nott’s Berr y Farm, Six Flags Magic Mountain, SeaWorld San Diego, Legoland California and other California theme parks closed in mid-March amid the COVID-19 pandemic and remain shuttered while they await reopening guidelines from the state.

California tapped the brakes on plans to issue guidelines last week that would allow theme parks in the state to reopen after the California Attractions and Parks Association industry association asked to offer more input on proposed COVID-19 health and safety protocols.

“We’re working closely with a number of direct operators of the parks and also the overall agency or organization representing theme parks as well as the labor partners that represent the workers and ensuring that we move forward together in a low risk and safest way possible,” Ghaly said during the news conference.

Disney announced last week 28,000 employees would be laid off at Disneyland and Walt Disney World as the company continues to struggle with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the extended closure of its Anaheim theme parks.

“Theme parks continue to be a high priority for the administration, recognizing their role as both part of California life but also employment opportunities for thousands of Californians,” Ghaly said during the news conference.

Initial draft guidelines from the state call for reopening individual California theme parks at 25% capacity once their county reaches the least-restrictive “minimal” risk level and limiting attendance to residents who live within 120 miles of each park.

“Some of the important issues that we’re looking at are obviously not just how the operations in the theme park go,” Ghaly said during the news conference. “There’s so many thoughtful people who are working in many of our sectors across California who have been thinking about this with a great deal of passion and energy. Not just so that they can reopen, but also so that they can make sure that staff and patrons alike are in the safest position that they can be.”

The sector guidelines will look at the impact reopening theme parks could have on the broader communities, surrounding neighborhoods and nearby businesses, according to Ghaly.

“This isn’t just about one piece,” Ghaly said during the press conference. “It’s about the entire community and having dialogue with not just those operators, but others who both have a stake in what happens with this guidance but also have a responsibility to reduce the risk for so many people from California who might visit a theme park in the future.”