California theme parks and outdoor sports stadiums could reopen as soon as 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 with a 15% capacity as early as April 1 once their counties reach the red or second most restrictive level of reopening. Capacity levels may change once the home county of a theme park improves toward the orange and yellow levels.
However, attendance at theme parks will be limited to California residents reopening.
“With significantly lower case and hospitalization rates, the arrival of three highly effective vaccines, and efforts to vaccinate the most vulnerable communities, California can gradually and safely begin to recover more activities, especially those occurring in outdoors and where consistent masking is possible, ”Dr. Mark Ghaly, secretary of the California Agency for Human Services and Health, said in a statement.
The announcement was good news for Disneyland President Ken Potrock.
“We are encouraged that theme parks now have a path to reopening this spring, that thousands of people are working again and that they are greatly helping neighboring businesses and our entire community,” he said in a statement.
California theme parks have been closed to visitors since last March, with the exception of limited-capacity dining events, such as this weekend’s Taste of Boysenberry at Knott’s Berry Farm and a “Disney Touch” scheduled for at the end of this month.
Orange County, which is home to Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm, just missed being moved to the red level this week.
UFCW Local 324, which represents Disney cast members working at Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure, applauded the news.
“Our Disney cast members are encouraged by this good news that Disney parks will reopen in a month. They’ve been out of work or out of work for a year now and are happy to be back at work to provide some to Californians more magic in their lives, “the union said in a statement.
The updated guidelines also allow for outdoor sports and live performances with fans and attendees on April 1st. While counties remain at the purple level, as it is currently in Los Angeles County, a stadium like Dodger Stadium will have to limit capacity to 100 or fewer residents. Advance bookings will be required and no sales or concessions will be allowed, according to the guidelines.
Once a county turns red, capacity can increase by up to 20% and concession sales can be resumed to guests in their seats. At the orange level, capacity can increase up to 33% and then up to 67% at the yellow level. Attendance will continue to be limited to state visitors at all reopening levels.
The Dodgers said they will soon announce safety and health protocols for fans, as well as a ticket policy to reduce capacity.
“Like the governor, we are optimistic that California will continue to move forward in the fight against COVID-19 and that we can safely welcome fans to start the season,” said Stan Kasten, president and CEO of Dodgers.
The California Amusement and Parks Association also welcomed the new guidelines.
“Parks now have a framework to reopen safely and responsibly,” CAPA chief executive Erin Guerrero said in a statement. “We appreciate the Administration’s willingness to work on the state issue in the most detailed details of the plan so that parks can reopen responsibly soon, getting people back to work safely and energizing local economies.” .