The fun will return, but for a select few.
California theme parks can reopen at limited capacity as soon as April 1, Provided counties meet updated metrics for Covid transmission.
If a county qualifies, theme parks will be able to operate outdoor rides and attractions at 15 percent capacity, according to the Los Angeles Times. The state’s new order eases previous rules on theme park operations and limits.
To qualify, a county must be in the red tier, the second-most severe tier under the state’s four-tier pandemic tracking system.
Both L.A. and Orange counties are still in the most severe tier. Transmission will have to slow in both counties over the next three weeks to reopen the state’s most popular theme parks — Disneyland, Universal Studios and Six Flags Magic Mountain.
The capacity cap would be raised — to 25 then 35 percent — as coronavirus transmission and other metrics improve. Previously, theme parks could open only when their counties reached the least-severe tier, and still only at 25 percent capacity.
Even if theme parks reopen April 1, industry experts say they almost certainly won’t bring in a profit at just 15 percent capacity. Still, operators and owners will choose will likely welcome the move.
The pandemic has hammered retailers and entertainment companies like. Last week, Disney said it would shutter 60 of its North American retail stores.
[LAT] — Dennis Lynch