California officials has informed theme parks that reopening will be possible when the county’s alert level drops to yellow stage or the lowest level of minimal spread.
Disney CEO Bob Chepek criticized the state for having strict guidelines than any other state in terms of reopening Disneyland theme park.
On Tuesday, California’s health department announces that large theme parks, Disneyland and Universal Studios Hollywood can reopen when COVID cases drops to below 1 to 100,000 per county.
Currently, Los Angeles County has an infection rate of 10.1 to 100, 000 individuals and Orange County has 4.6 cases to 100,000 individuals, which is listed slightly above the moderate level infection rate.
Both Universal Studios and Disney stated disappointment with California Health Department guidelines. Universal Studios Hollywood in a statement. “It ignores science, reason and economic devastation this will bring to the thousands of our employees.”
Knott’s Berry Farm, also in Orange County was not able to reopen due to the strict guidelines California Health Department imposes.
Disney was forced to lay off 28,000 employees in September due to these restrictions.
