And, again, if you would have told me a year ago I would be skimming through a 36-page document on theme park guidelines, I would have said "no way." And yet, here we are.
Some of the portions of the document that seemed most relevant to our discussion (underlining is all mine).
Topline Considerations for Reopening:
1. Allow healthy people to enjoy the facility and encourage the use of masks/face coverings for guests and staff.
2. Provide means to wash/sanitize hands frequently.
3. Manage density of people within the facility to keep people or family units that have been isolating together 6 feet (2 meters) apart. Physical distancing guidelines may vary by region and can be reduced by wearing of masks/ face coverings—ensure your plan is aligned with local official guidance.
4. Reduce touch areas where possible and sanitize high touch surfaces frequently.
5. Protect employees with various approaches, including barriers, protective coverings, and distancing.
6. Communicate with employees and guests effectively on how to prevent the spread of germs.
7. Have a plan in the event a guest or employee falls ill on site.
WHY ATTRACTIONS ARE DIFFERENT FROM OTHER MASS GATHERINGS
It is important to remember the difference between attractions and other venues for mass gatherings such as sports arenas, movie theaters, and concerts:
1. Capacity can be reduced/managed to allow for appropriate social distancing.
2. Seating positions in rides and attractions are controlled by employees.
3. Exposure time is limited. Guests generally move throughout their experience, much like in an inter-city district or zone. The guests are not sitting in a single location, elbow-to-elbow, for an extended period.
4. A large percentage of attraction attendance is made up of family members and others who live in the same home and thus do not need to be physically distanced from each other.
GUEST COMMUNICATION
1. Consider the importance of warning guests about the risk of contracting COVID19 in any public space, including posting signs/messages like the following example:
We are committed to keeping you healthy and safe, but we cannot guarantee you won’t be exposed to COVID-19.
We rely on you to protect yourself too:
• Wash your hands often and avoid touching your face
• Maintain your distance from others
• Cover your mouth and nose
• Avoid touching surfaces
• If you’re sick, please don’t participate and encourage your family not to participate until you are well.
2. Signs with health and hygiene reminders should be visible throughout the property
3. Communicate new operational procedures to guests prior to arrival, on the attraction’s website, and through social media to establish expectations and instill confidence, including:
a. Identifying COVID-19 symptoms and messaging that asks guest to come back another day if anyone in their party is experiencing the symptoms
b. Directives on wearing masks/ face coverings for employees and guests
c. Physical distancing guidelines
d. Capacity limits that facilitate social distancing
e. Enhanced cleaning and sanitizing protocols
f. Use of temperature checks/thermal scanning cameras (if required)
PHYSICAL DISTANCING: CALCULATING CAPACITIES
Identify realistic capacities for your attractions based on queue length, waiting areas, pre-shows, and vehicle capacity, adjusted to allow for 6 feet (2 meters) of physical distancing between individuals. This calculates to a 36-square-foot (4 square meters/per person) square or 28.3-square-foot circle per person. Both calculations maintain six feet between individuals. The 28.3-square-foot circle calculation accounts for a more efficient use of the space.
FACE MASKS/CLOTH FACE COVERINGS
The wearing of face masks or cloth face coverings (covering nose and mouth) provides an additional level of safety for guests and employees and reduces the likelihood of contagious virus droplets transferring from one person to another. Masks/ face coverings should also fit well without gaps on the sides, top, or bottom. It is also important to note that some people should not wear masks/ face coverings. The CDC in the United States cautions that cloth face coverings should not be placed on children younger than 2 years of age, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the cover without assistance (see link below.)
As a result, those individuals may not be able to experience some attractions.
Face masks or cloth face coverings provide additional safety for guests and employees. Guests should be encouraged to wear them, particularly in these circumstances:
a. When interacting with attraction employees
b. In areas where it would be difficult to maintain at least 6 feet (2 meters) of physical distance from others including in elevators, indoor locations, or in other confined spaces
c. On rides (note that due to the dynamics of some attractions, loose fitting masks/face coverings may not be permitted. See Rides and Attractions section below.)
HEALTH SCREENING/TEMPERATURE CHECKS
Due to the unreliable nature of advance screening and temperature checks, particularly in outdoor environments, they are
not recommended as a primary operating principle. Some government agencies may require them and specify how they are to be managed, however. In the absence of those mandates, here are operating guidelines to consider.
1. If you are conducting health screenings, you may want to ensure they are done for guests, employees, vendors, contractors, and visitors.
2. Screening locations should be positioned as close to an individual’s point of entry to the property as possible and away from other security or admissions operations.
3. Screening areas should be set up in compliance with physical distancing protocols.
4. Screening should be conducted with discretion and to maintain privacy. Facilities are encouraged to review, understand, and comply with the applicable legal requirements regarding the maintenance and storage of health information for employees and guests.
5. Those performing initial screenings do not need to be medical professionals but should be trained on the screening procedure. They should wear the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE.) That may include gowns, surgical masks, eye protection, and gloves.
6. Health screening forms may be helpful to determine if someone has been exposed to COVID-19 or if they are experiencing symptoms. Consult with local health experts to identify the correct questions to ask.
7. Temperature should be below 100.4 F (38 C) according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. (
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019- ncov/downloads/COVID-19_CAREKit_ENG.pdf) If temperature is above that threshold, the individual should be given a mask/ face covering and moved to an isolation area or room for further evaluation. Make sure you are using accurate temperature-taking devices and understand that instrument’s limitations (+/- .01 can be significant) as well as the conditions under which the device may provide an inaccurate reading.
8. This isolation area should be separate from the initial screening area and provide a climate-controlled environment.
9. Additional testing and evaluation should include a second temperature check to confirm the initial result and a review of symptoms.
10.According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, (
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html as of April 25, 2020), COVID-19 symptoms include: fever 100.4 F/38 C or higher, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, and a new loss of taste or smell.
11.If the individual still presents a concern following the second screening, he/she and his/her entire party (including all family members/people living in the same household, or employees who live in the same household or commute together) should be denied entry to the attraction and given guidance to seek medical care.
Then, there's a ton of guidelines for admission and entry and payment to maximize social distance and sanitation and cleaning.
