Coronavirus: Impact on Theme Parks
- Thread starter JammyH
- Start date
Nicky Borrill
Strata Poster
You stated that if there is a second spike the 4th July is off... Hence my comment... ??
No need to be so hypocritical, there’s no difference between anyone else having an opinion and you having one!
Matt N
CF Legend
I saw an article from the Wall Street Journal suggesting that the protests have caused no substantial uptick in cases so far, so that must be encouraging if nothing else! Admittedly, I couldn’t read the article, because it was behind a paywall, but the headline said “Protests Causing No Uptick in Cases So Far”, so that must be encouraging, surely?
Also, according to the Sunday Times, government data has been leaked suggesting a 4th July reopening for pubs, restaurants and hotels, as well as theme parks & leisure attractions in the UK. The article also details some of the measures that theme parks will need to put into place: https://apple.news/A7MyxN_BSQp-VAHb2HMYQiw
A reduction of the distance by this date has also been heavily implied.
Also, according to the Sunday Times, government data has been leaked suggesting a 4th July reopening for pubs, restaurants and hotels, as well as theme parks & leisure attractions in the UK. The article also details some of the measures that theme parks will need to put into place: https://apple.news/A7MyxN_BSQp-VAHb2HMYQiw
A reduction of the distance by this date has also been heavily implied.
You can have a look here; the amount of virus cases per week have been decreasing now since the start of May, we seem to be following the same sort of epidemiological wave that a lot of other Eu countries, such as Italy, France and Spain have followed. Obviously, our curve of cases/deaths was a lot higher meaning it's taking a lot longer to settle. https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/uk/
By no means though should we be complacent. If people go back to their old ways it could easily start a second outbreak, the virus isn't gone, it's just been compressed artificially throughout Europe. You can still see cases rising on the daily in countries like Brazil and India.
Even though 4th July hasn't been officially confirmed, it's pretty much a confirmed date now. As this also coincides with the date for the proposed "air bridges" which will start to allow tourists to come into this country. There's no point allowing tourists if there are no hotels to stay in, no restaurants or attractions etc. So I'm pretty sure everything will move forwards in one large step (more like a leap) on the 4th July.
As I said before, the distance worries me. Reducing from 2m to 1m can sincerely help businesses operate to better profit margins, BUT if it is reduced to 1m without the introduction of compulsory face masks in public settings, I fear for a second wave. And we won't lock down again, because it will be too damaging to the economy. So it's a very delicate situation at the moment.
I know at chessington on their new digital signs for the ride entrances they have an icon with little people telling you to keep 2m apart. So obviously merlin have not been informed of any reducing the distance for 4th July. But similarly, a lot of markers haven't been placed down in queue lines etc yet, which could indicate they are waiting for updated guidance as the distance could be reduced from 2m to 1m by opening date.
I would personally, be happier with the introduction of compulsory face masks in the UK theme park setting, and then I would support the distance being reduced. It doesn't matter if the distancing is 2m or 1m at a park like Thorpe park (for example) as the target market ("youths") none of them will stick to the distancing anyway. If masks were strictly enforced in uk parks, I would be more inclined to visit, as I just don't trust the British population to stick to the distancing.
That makes me worried about a 4th July opening date for UK theme parks, as I honestly don't see the British population being compliant with the distancing throughout queuelines, as most people were ignoring social distancing when I visited Whipsnade Zoo on Thursday. If merlin and other parks don't put members of staff in queuelines to enforce the restrictions, I can honestly see chaos descending. Already seen tonnes of complaints on Legoland facebook about distancing and recommended masks in the park, apparently it will "traumatise" peoples children. Which makes me think no one is actually going to follow those rules.
Nicky Borrill
Strata Poster
Not just the British... No masks in Walibi at all... And despite staff’s best efforts they can’t be everywhere... It’s pointless...
Oh gosh, I genuinely heard reports that distancing was successful at the dutch parks, including Walibi.
I guess not then... That's exactly what I expect Thorpe park to look like in the queue lines.
Holland hasn't seen a spike in virus cases though so hopefully reopening the economy up in the UK won't cause a second spike, but if it does I think unfortunately theme parks will have no choice but to close their doors here again.
Nicky Borrill
Strata Poster
Exactly, this trip has shown me that it doesn’t really matter what measures are in place, as long as people are just a little bit conscious of the risk, it’s enough to keep the infections down... People aren’t standing a metre apart in queues, but they’re also not poking you in the back every few seconds... Every little helps
I have to admit I prefer Germany’s mask policy... There’s that extra layer then when the inevitable happens and distance rules are ignored.
Ok so I’ve now read that potentially around a dozen countries will be announced for travel bridges with the UK on 4th July. Don’t know how much credibility the article had to it but they will be announcing it on the 29th july apparently.
Once again the article hinted bridges with France, portugal, greece, spain and italy like the others have. It also hinted Australia (I have no clue where this has come from?). That would make 6 and if they really do intend for 12 bridges then there would also be another 6 not yet announced. If they are focussing primarily on the EU it would make sense for these bridges to be with germany, netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, iceland and maybe poland.
All speculation though, I guess we won’t find out much more until the 29th June, but I’m half expecting something ridiculous to be announced again.
Once again the article hinted bridges with France, portugal, greece, spain and italy like the others have. It also hinted Australia (I have no clue where this has come from?). That would make 6 and if they really do intend for 12 bridges then there would also be another 6 not yet announced. If they are focussing primarily on the EU it would make sense for these bridges to be with germany, netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, iceland and maybe poland.
All speculation though, I guess we won’t find out much more until the 29th June, but I’m half expecting something ridiculous to be announced again.
BlueSonicHD
Mega Poster
1 metre ... 2 metre ... no. We are getting a new 1 metre plus rule from 4th July
What a load of tosh
Just decide 1 way or another
If you wear a mask can stand 1 metre don’t wear a mask has to be 2 metre
I san see this working so well
to hep pubs open. How are you to drink your pint wearing a mask.
www.reuters.com
What a load of tosh
Just decide 1 way or another
If you wear a mask can stand 1 metre don’t wear a mask has to be 2 metre
I san see this working so well
to hep pubs open. How are you to drink your pint wearing a mask.
UK PM Johnson to announce new 'one metre plus' social distancing rule: Telegraph
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will announce a new "one metre plus" social distancing rule to reopen the United Kingdom, the Daily Telegraph newspaper reported late on Saturday.
www.reuters.com
Nicky Borrill
Strata Poster
We’ll have to wait and see... Aproximately 0.08% of all predictions or ‘insider info’ reported in papers has been true.1 metre ... 2 metre ... no. We are getting a new 1 metre plus rule from 4th July
What a load of tosh
Just decide 1 way or another
If you wear a mask can stand 1 metre don’t wear a mask has to be 2 metre
I san see this working so well
to hep pubs open. How are you to drink your pint wearing a mask.
UK PM Johnson to announce new 'one metre plus' social distancing rule: Telegraph
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will announce a new "one metre plus" social distancing rule to reopen the United Kingdom, the Daily Telegraph newspaper reported late on Saturday.
It could work if the + includes other measures, such as back to back... Tables can be placed closer together then, with those at 1m back to back.
The issue is, when you look at scientific videos of how the virus spreads in indoor areas (such as supermarkets) the air droplets travel in the air across the room. Therefore, being back to back makes things no safer as being front to front (in my opinion).
But if that’s the decision of the politicians, once again that’s the decision of the politicians and that’s the way things will move forward.
Does that mean we are more likely to see compulsory masks pretty much... everywhere?
Edit: I appreciate the potential need to move to 1m to save thousands of jobs and save the economy, which in turn can save people from poverty, mental health etc. I’m just interested to know what these additional measures they are proposing to implement are with a drop to a 1m distance.
(If the distance is dropped to 1m, which seems pretty likely now, it means coasters will be able to load full rather than leaving every other row free).
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Ethan
Strata Poster
I was watching a BBC article at work the other day. It said that statistics show you're actually safer took 1m apart back to back than you are 2m apart facing each other.
Nicky Borrill
Strata Poster
Honestly at this stage, and please don’t swear at me too much for saying this, the things I’ve seen in the last week, in countries that have been far more eased than we are, for far longer... Suggest to me that, if they’ve not seen a rise, it’s unlikely we will, regardless of what measures are in place, so long as testing and tracing is working, and we’re all a little more careful than we were before...
On the continent people are drinking in pubs, eating in restaurants, crowding in indoor queues, and getting on with their lives, and have been for a month or more now with no consequences. Where they’re in place, measures are being followed loosely at best, (Germany) but there are places where no measures are being strictly followed at all at times. (Holland)
However, in all of these places, people are being more mindful, they may not keep 1.5m, but they don’t ever get within 0.5m of you, for example.
Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not suggesting we do nothing and return to normal, that could be a disaster leading to lots of outbreaks. (See the meat plant in Germany.) But I think the measures at this point serve mainly to keep people at least somewhat mindful, allowing test and trace to keep up...
As a note: in all 3 countries, indoor shops had the strictest measures, even stricter than pubs and restaurants, and they were being followed in shops perfectly!!! Seems they may consider shops the very highest risk, even above restaurants ?? Just an observation, nothing to back any of this up ?
On the continent people are drinking in pubs, eating in restaurants, crowding in indoor queues, and getting on with their lives, and have been for a month or more now with no consequences. Where they’re in place, measures are being followed loosely at best, (Germany) but there are places where no measures are being strictly followed at all at times. (Holland)
However, in all of these places, people are being more mindful, they may not keep 1.5m, but they don’t ever get within 0.5m of you, for example.
Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not suggesting we do nothing and return to normal, that could be a disaster leading to lots of outbreaks. (See the meat plant in Germany.) But I think the measures at this point serve mainly to keep people at least somewhat mindful, allowing test and trace to keep up...
As a note: in all 3 countries, indoor shops had the strictest measures, even stricter than pubs and restaurants, and they were being followed in shops perfectly!!! Seems they may consider shops the very highest risk, even above restaurants ??
Just an observation, nothing to back any of this up ?
JoshC.
Strata Poster
The fact that people not getting within half a metre of you is effectively being considered a win just saddens me.
Before all this, the only time I ever was in that proximity to someone I didn't know at a park was a pre show room. It's really not big a distance and it's easy to keep that in day-to-day life tbh
Before all this, the only time I ever was in that proximity to someone I didn't know at a park was a pre show room. It's really not big a distance and it's easy to keep that in day-to-day life tbh
CSLKennyNI
Giga Poster
... well same in all other countries which require masks. Once you are seated with your group you can take it off obviously. Its only when moving through the restaurant or pub such as entering, exiting or going to the bathroom, when you are in closer proximity to others that you wear a mask. Works perfectly fine from personal experience.
Nicky Borrill
Strata Poster
My biggest pet hate at theme parks is people getting so close to my behind that they keep knocking me, or people suddenly jumping up to sit on barriers in cattle pens or cutbacks and knocking me with their backpacks... Happens way more than it ought to! It’s nice to never have to put up with that ??
Seriously though, 0.5 is a minimum that nobody got closer than, most people were somewhere around or just under a metre. (The minimum was supposed to be 1.5)
Stairs were interesting, faced with a set of stairs everybody seemed to suddenly get much closer ??
Nel Iglesias
Roller Poster
Walibi Belgium will open on the 1st of July. Meanwhile, they will not sell annual passes anymore this year. (Which I think is a big mistake they're making... But okay.)
A lot of fans are very angry as the entry price has gone up in the last couple of years. If you wish to visit the theme park be ready to pay 40 euros every time. There will also be no way to redeem any coupons, you WILL have to pay the full price.
They ask every visitor to stay with their party at all times and follow the rules. If the rules are not followed you will be escorted out of the park by security. Wearing a mask in the coasters is mandatory, not doing so can bring you in big trouble.
I won't visit anymore as much as I used to because my annual pass has expired. So this year is really not going to be any fun.
A lot of fans are very angry as the entry price has gone up in the last couple of years. If you wish to visit the theme park be ready to pay 40 euros every time. There will also be no way to redeem any coupons, you WILL have to pay the full price.
They ask every visitor to stay with their party at all times and follow the rules. If the rules are not followed you will be escorted out of the park by security. Wearing a mask in the coasters is mandatory, not doing so can bring you in big trouble.
I won't visit anymore as much as I used to because my annual pass has expired. So this year is really not going to be any fun.
Nicky Borrill
Strata Poster
Sucks for us regulars, but honestly cannot blame parks for wanting to maximise income from the limited number of guests they’ll be allowed... Imagine only being allowed 50% of your normal capacity then most of those guests being annual passes, how do they cover their costs?
Merlin are charging £1 per annual pass holder, and I am expecting them to limit the number of passholder bookings available per day... Even as a passholder, I don’t blame them.
Re: zoo talk in this thread
Was at Twycross Zoo today for first visit in some years. It was ok, nice to see most of the animals. Most of the monkeys and apes are very active and memorable and some have very good enclosures I reckon (not all). The penguins, zebras and giraffes are probably the most impressive to see up close(ish). How the penguins are not simply hopping out of their low enclosure is surprising to me.
But didn't know the elephants had moved to Blackpool Zoo (how ironic). The rhinos and tigers weren't showing themselves. Had to leave early as my other half had to get a mandatory Covid 19 check where she works. It was late notice for us and I couldn't get ahold of Twycross in time to ask if we could move our time slot. At least we had almost 2 hours but I wouldn't have minded staying longer to see some animals again or another chance at the rhinos at least.
All indoor sections closed of course. Wouldn't have made it around in 2 hours with trying to see those too I think if they had been open.
But really, people were that spread out at Twycross, even by the time we were leaving, it is still baffling they had to wait THAT long to re-open. Totally unnecessary their wait was in my opinion. Should have allowed to re-open about two weeks sooner I think, we had great weather early June. At least they are filling up the slots now and hopefully that is helping them (and their animals!) to survive. ?
Was at Twycross Zoo today for first visit in some years. It was ok, nice to see most of the animals. Most of the monkeys and apes are very active and memorable and some have very good enclosures I reckon (not all). The penguins, zebras and giraffes are probably the most impressive to see up close(ish). How the penguins are not simply hopping out of their low enclosure is surprising to me.
But didn't know the elephants had moved to Blackpool Zoo (how ironic). The rhinos and tigers weren't showing themselves. Had to leave early as my other half had to get a mandatory Covid 19 check where she works. It was late notice for us and I couldn't get ahold of Twycross in time to ask if we could move our time slot. At least we had almost 2 hours but I wouldn't have minded staying longer to see some animals again or another chance at the rhinos at least.
All indoor sections closed of course. Wouldn't have made it around in 2 hours with trying to see those too I think if they had been open.
But really, people were that spread out at Twycross, even by the time we were leaving, it is still baffling they had to wait THAT long to re-open. Totally unnecessary their wait was in my opinion. Should have allowed to re-open about two weeks sooner I think, we had great weather early June. At least they are filling up the slots now and hopefully that is helping them (and their animals!) to survive. ?