a few weeks ago, we had received visitors from the car park, but they had come for the vaccination center set up there. This time, they are “real” visitors, who should make their return soon to Disneyland, California. Indeed, the state of the United States announced on Friday March 5 a relaxation of the health criteria linked to the Covid-19 pandemic. This relaxation paves the way for the reopening of leisure parks such as Disneyland but also Universal Studios, but also open-air stadiums, from April 1.
The move follows intense pressure from amusement park operators as well as a rapid decline in coronavirus cases in the state, hit hard by the epidemic during the winter. With these improvements, “California can safely and gradually begin to reopen certain activities, particularly those that take place outdoors and where mask wear is possible,” said California Health Officer Mark Ghaly, in a press release.
An opening limited to Californians
In detail, the amusement parks will be able to reopen from April 1 if the county in which they are located is no longer classified in “purple zone”, the highest level of risk according to Californian criteria. Orange County, where Disneyland is located, and Los Angeles County, where Universal Studios is located, are both still classified as “purple” but could turn red within a few weeks. Their capacity in the red zone will however be limited to 15% of the usual level (25% in orange and 35% in yellow) and only the inhabitants of California will be able to immediately have access to these parks, specifies the department of public health.
Open-air stadiums and other open-air structures will be able to reopen their doors for sports competitions or concerts from April 1, regardless of their location. The number of visitors admitted (again limited to residents of California) will however depend on the level of risk associated with Covid-19: only 100 spectators authorized in the “purple” zone, 20% in the “red” zone, 33% in the “orange” zone “, Etc.
Thousands of employees made redundant
Disneyland and other major California theme parks have been closed since mid-March 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Located in Anaheim, Disneyland is the second most visited theme park in the world, behind Disney World in Orlando (Florida), which was able to reopen in July 2020 with a limited capacity. Other Disney parks had also resumed their activities in Asia or in the suburbs of Paris.
Its closure has resulted in the layoff of thousands of Disney employees and has caused enormous economic hardship for hotels, restaurants and other businesses in California living off the tourist manna of the big-eared firm. “We are encouraged by the fact that we have a trajectory towards our reopening this spring,” said Disneyland Resort President Ken Potrock. “While Disney has already implemented responsible safety procedures around the world, we look forward to welcoming our visitors again,” he added in a statement. The president of Universal Studios Hollywood, Karen Irwin, also praised the “exciting announcement”, as well as a union representing many employees of California parks.
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