SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer and seven other California mayors are calling for the state to loosen restrictions on reopening large theme parks.
The letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom requests that the state allow large theme parks to reopen with reduced capacity under the state's third reopening tier (orange/moderate) rather than the fourth (yellow/minimal).
The letter stated that, "guidelines put forth by your Administration were released within the framework of prioritizing public health and safety for guests and employees. This is the right focus. However, economic and public health are not mutually exclusive goals."
"We are concerned that the state's guidelines would push re-opening of large theme parks up to a year out, which would have significant negative impacts on hundreds of thousands of jobs, thousands of small businesses, and billions in operating revenue for our cities," the letter dated Oct. 30 stated.
The letter pointed out San Diego, Los Angeles, and Anaheim as the most impacted cities.
The letter is signed by Faulconer, Anaheim Mayor Harry Sidhu, Los Angeles Mayor Kevin Garcetti, San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo, Fresno Mayor Lee Brand, Bakersfield Mayor Karen Goh, Riverside Mayor Rusty Bailey, and Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido.
The mayors' cities are either in the red or purple tier of the state's reopening plan.
California's theme park guidance allows smaller theme parks to resume operations in the state's third reopening tier (moderate/orange) with a limited capacity of 25% or 500 visitors, whichever is fewer; only outdoor attractions; and ticket sales limited to visitors in the same county.
All theme parks may resume operations in the state's fifth tier (yellow/minimal) with a limited capacity of 25%. Any open theme parks must implement a reservations system, screen guests for COVID-19 symptoms, and require face coverings throughout the park unless eating or drinking.
