THEME PARK ELATION AND CAUTION
OPERATORS of these urban attractions are pulling out all the stops to make it a safe experience for visitors from July 1. But many people remain nervous about the risk of Covid-19 infection at these places.
THEME parks, including water theme parks, will be allowed to resume operations from July 1, announced Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
However, he said the Special Cabinet Meeting, which agreed to the reopening of 54 theme parks nationwide, stressed that operators must adhere to strict standard operating procedures (SOPs).
“About 10,000 workers will be affected by the reopening of the parks. The number of visitors will be based on the size and capacity of each park.
“All visitors must register using the MySejahtera application, have their temperatures taken and use hand sanitisers,” he told a press conference yesterday.
While news of the reopening was pleasing to most, some Malaysians expressed concern over several issues, mainly crowd control and social distancing involving children.
Haryatie Sa’ban, 25, said she was happy that theme parks would be operating again, but stressed that it would be a challenge to ensure children followed the SOPs.
“It will be a challenge to ensure children follow the social distancing rule, while at the same time having their hands sanitised regularly. We need to know how the management is going to ensure the safety of youngsters,” she told the New Straits Times.
Haryatie said she would give it some time before taking her family, especially her nieces and nephews, to these parks again.
“Health is my No. 1 priority, so I guess it is okay to wait until the pandemic eases further, or at least until we find a vaccine for the Covid-19 virus,” she said.
Aidil Razak, 22, felt it was not a good idea to reopen the parks.
“As we all know, to combat and prevent the virus from transmitting, we must avoid being in crowded areas.
“Even when our community transmission cases were low, I chose not to visit some places immediately after they reopened. I am still worried and slightly paranoid over the pandemic.
“I would feel a lot safer visiting these places once we find a vaccine,” he said.
The university graduate felt the park management needed to strictly adhere to the SOPs as such parks are also tourist hotspots.
For freelance writer, Shafadzlin Ahmad Shaharir, 24, the reopening of theme parks, which also contribute to the nation’s economy, signalled that Malaysia was taking one step at a time to return back to “normal”.
However, she said she would wait it out before going to theme parks.
“Visiting these parks during a pandemic would be a new experience, same as wearing face masks everywhere and ensuring hands are sanitised at all times.
“I hope the public understand these SOPs have become a part of our daily life... there is no running away from them.
“I can’t wait to see how this reopening will turn out,” she said.
Water theme park operators must follow the guidelines on the Management and Maintenance of Public Pools by the local authorities, as well as the Monitoring of Pool Quality guidelines.
Page 1 pic: A pool attendant cleaning a water slide at the Sunway Lost World of Tambun theme park in Ipoh yesterday.