A group of California state lawmakers sent a letter to California Gov. Gavin Newsom Monday that deems reopening theme parks within the state as the logical choice given the locations are mostly outdoors.
- The letter — which calls on Newsom to issue guidelines for parks like Disneyland, Universal Studios and Knott’s Berry Farm — puts added pressure on the governor.
- State legislators Tom Daly, Bob Archuleta, Kansen Chu, Tom Umberg, Chad Mayes, Sabrina Cervantes, Blanca Rubio, Patrick O’Donnell, Heath Flora, Adrin Nazarian, Phillip Chen, Pat Bates, Ling Ling Chang, Christy Smith, Cathleen Galgiani, John Moorlach, Tim Grayson and Richard Bloom all signed the letter.
Key quotes:
Deadline received a copy of the letter and shared it online. Here are three key quotes to consider:
- “Many indoor facilities are already operating safely at reduced capacities, with face covering and physical distancing requirements, and with heightened hygiene practices. Logic would suggest that since theme parks are controlled venues operating predominantly outdoors, that they too could reopen with similar health and safety protocols.”
- “Theme parks have not been addressed in this Blueprint — they have no path forward, no guidance documents for the state’s expectations related to reopening, and no sense of timing to share with their anxious employees and guests. Counties are already beginning to move through tiers and yet none know when this large sector within their communities will be allowed to reopen.”
- “With this as backdrop, we believe the time is now to move forward with theme park reopenings. Theme parks have spent the past six months preparing to reopen in a responsible manner. They have comprehensive plans that include capacity reductions, thorough health and safety protocols, and park-wide modifications to support these efforts.”
A similar argument from Disneyland
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Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, recently held a private virtual press conference, to members of the media where he explained why Disneyland should reopen.
- “The longer we wait, the more devastating the impact will be to the Orange County and Anaheim communities, and the tens of thousands of people who rely on us for employment.”
- “We are ready, and more importantly, it’s time.”