California state officials continue to review when and how to reopen theme parks across the state, including Disneyland and Universal Studios Hollywood.
Public health officials told The Orange County Register that they are reviewing the Golden State’s health data to see how a reopening can happen amid the coronavirus pandemic.
California Health and Human Services spokesperson Kate Folmar told the OC Register in an email that theme parks can’t open yet but it could change
“Theme parks are not permitted to open in California at this time, under current public health orders,” she wrote. “We will continue to review health data to determine when and how theme parks may consider reopening at lower risk to staff and visitors.”
Right now, theme parks can reopen during stage three of California’s reopening plan. These areas remain at the “higher risk” end of the business spectrum. Other businesses for that stage include salons, gyms, movie theaters and sport events with a live crowd.
Disneyland was originally supposed to reopen on July 17 to celebrate the company’s 65th anniversary. All signs pointed to the park following footsteps laid out by Disneyland in Shanghai and Walt Disney World in Orlando.
But Disneyland delayed its reopening indefinitely after California would not issue guidance on how the park can stay open amid the pandemic, as I wrote about for Deseret.com.
“Given the time required for us to bring thousands of cast members back to work and restart our business, we have no choice but to delay the reopening of our theme parks and resort hotels until we receive approval from government officials,” the company said. “Once we have a clearer understanding of when guidelines will be released, we expect to be able to communicate a reopening date.”
There has been no update since. I’ve reached out to Disneyland for updates but representatives told me that information will be shared when there is an update.
So for now, Disneyland remains closed and awaits California to shift into a third stage of reopening.