Disneyland, Sports, Other CA Live Events Can Reopen April 1

ANAHEIM, CA —No, it isn't April Fools' Day.

Disneyland Resort, Universal Studios Hollywood, Six Flags Magic Mountain, Knott's Berry Farm, Sea World San Diego, Legoland California and other theme parks across the Golden State received some long-awaited news Friday: They are potentially allowed to reopen April 1, according to new guidelines shared by Gov. Gavin Newsom's office. The rules also apply to Major League Baseball and other sporting events.

California's secretary of Health and Human Services Dr. Mark Ghaly spoke on the changes to the 'Blueprint for a Safer Economy' Friday.

The changes mean theme parks are allowed to reopen at 15 percent capacity when the county reaches the red tier. Orange County, home to Disneyland, is expected to be moved into the red tier on March 17.

When they advance to the "orange" tier, capacity, all will be increased to 25 percent, and in the least-restrictive "yellow" tier, a capacity of 35 percent will be allowed.

The initial reopening will not include indoor rides at this time, with a few exceptions to that rule. Theme parks would be reopened only to California residents.

All other specific reopening guidelines will be released soon, officials say.

Outdoor sports and live performance venues can also reopen as early as April 1, also with capacity limits based on the county's tier ranking.

All five of California's Major League Baseball clubs—The Oakland A's, San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels, San Diego Padres —will be able to have fans on opening day, starting on or around April 5, with health and safety measures in place. Ticket sales and exact information will be released in the days to come, each club has said.

For counties in the most restrictive "purple" tier, outdoor venues will be strictly limited to a total of 100 people, with only local residents permitted, advance reservations or tickets required and no concessions or concourse sales allowed.

When counties reach the less-restrictive "red" tier, capacity will be increased to 20 percent, with primarily in-seat concessions allowed. In the even less-restrictive "orange" tier, 33 percent capacity will be allowed, and in the top "yellow" tier, capacity will increase to 67 percent. Only in-state visitors will be permitted to the venues in counties in the "red," "orange" and "yellow" tiers.

Gov. Gavin Newsom's "safer at home orders," which began in mid-March 2020, have devastated earnings for thousands across the Southland. In Florida and other states, theme parks reopened to the public months ago.

Anaheim Mayor Harry Sidhu spoke on the reopening, and what it means to Anaheim businesses.

"Disney has gone to great lengths to be ready for a safe and responsible reopening," Sidhu wrote in a news release on Twitter. "Everyone should feel comfortable and confident about coming back to Anaheim, whether to visit our theme parks or to celebrate the return of Baseball on Opening Day."

The announcement for these major California businesses comes the same day the state reached a milestone of 10 million vaccines administered.

"Our #COVID19 rates are the lowest they have been in months," the governor said on Twitter. "And we just signed a $6.6 billion package to reopen our schools and get our kids back in the classroom."

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