It is approaching nearly a year since theme parks in California have been closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, the state has finally issued new theme park guidelines which will allow Disneyland, Universal Studios Hollywood, and others to reopen as soon as April 1, 2021.
According to the OC Register, the new guidelines from Governor Gavin Newsome are part of a “refresh” for the state. The orders include a four-tie “Blueprint for a Safer Economy.”
The Newsom administration’s “Blueprint Refresh” allows Disneyland, Universal Studios Hollywood, Knott’s Berry Farm, Six Flags Magic Mountain, SeaWorld San Diego, Legoland California and other California theme parks to reopen as early as April 1 once the counties they are located in reach the red/substantial tier 2 risk status.
Starting on April 1, California theme parks can reopen at 15% capacity in the red/substantial tier 2, 25% capacity in the orange/moderate tier 3 and 35% capacity in the least-restrictive yellow/minimal tier 4.
Theme park attendance will be limited to California residents. Updated guidelines will be worked out over the next couple of weeks in partnership with theme parks.
“We appreciate the administration’s willingness to work with the state’s theme parks on the finer details of the plan so parks can responsibly reopen soon, putting people safely back to work and reinvigorating local economies,” California Attractions and Parks Association executive director Erin Guerrero said in a statement.
(Disneyland and Knott’s), Los Angeles County (Universal Studios Hollywood and Six Flags Magic Mountain), San Diego (SeaWorld and Legoland) and Solano (Six Flags Discovery Kingdom) are all in the most-restrictive purple/widespread tier 1 risk level. That tier encompasses Orange County as of right now, but it is expected to move into the red Tier 2 next week.
This move into the red tier means those parks could reopen on April 1, 2021.
Santa Clara County — home to California’s Great America — is currently in the red/substantial tier 2 risk level. The Santa Clara amusement park has already set a reopening date of May 22.
Under the revised theme park guidelines, indoor rides and attractions must maintain a 15% capacity in the red tier and 25% capacity in the orange and yellow tiers while outdoor rides and attractions can accommodate more riders provided social distancing mandates are followed.
These new guidelines from Gov. Newsome no longer make distinctions between large and small theme parks in California.
Disneyland Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood have not yet released a date for reopening.
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