(Los Angeles) California announced Friday that it is easing its health standards related to the COVID-19 pandemic and that Disneyland and other theme parks, as well as open stadiums, can begin reopening as of 1is being April if certain conditions are met.
The move comes after intense pressure from theme park operators as well as a rapid drop in coronavirus cases in the state, which has been hit hard by the epidemic during the winter.
With these improvements, “California State can safely and gradually reopen some activities, especially those that happen outdoors and where masks are possible,” California health official Mark Galli said in a press release.
In detail, the theme parks will be reopened from 1is being April, if the county they are located in is no longer classified as a “purple district,” then the highest level of risk according to the California standard. Orange County, where Disneyland is located, and Los Angeles County, where Universal Studios is located, are still classified as “purple”, but it can turn red within a few weeks.
However, its capacity in the red will be limited to 15% of the usual level (25% in orange and 35% in yellow) and only California residents will have immediate access to these parks, as determined by the Public Administration. Health.
Open stadiums and other open structures will be able to reopen for sports competitions or concerts by 1is being April, regardless of their location.
However, the number of visitors admitted – again restricted to California residents – will depend on the level of risk associated with COVID-19: only 100 spectators are authorized in the ‘purple’ zone, 20% in the ‘red’ zone, and 33% in the ‘red’ zone. The “orange” area, etc.
Disneyland and other major theme parks in California 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, after Disney World in Orlando (Florida), which was able to reopen in July 2020 with a limited capacity. Other Disney parks have also resumed activities in Asia or in the suburbs of Paris.
Its shutdown has laid off thousands of Disney employees and has caused massive economic hardship to hotels, restaurants and other businesses in the California tourist reach of the Big-eared Company.
“We’re encouraged by the fact that we have a path toward our reopening this spring,” said Ken Potrock, president of Disneyland Resort. “While Disney has already implemented responsible safety measures around the world, we look forward to welcoming our visitors again,” he added in a statement.
The head of Universal Studios Hollywood, Karen Irwin, also praised the “exciting advertisement”, as well as a union representing many California park workers.
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