Email from Hershey;
3/11/2020
To Our Valued Guests:
I am writing on behalf of the entire Hershey Entertainment & Resorts (HE&R) family to assure you that the health and safety of our team members, guests and community remains HE&R’s top priority. As the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) is having a greater impact in the United States, our thoughts are with all those who have been affected by the virus. Because this is a rapidly-evolving situation, we feel it is important to reach out to you about the steps we are taking across our company and properties to help keep you, our team members and our communities safe and healthy.
As part of our commitment to your health and well-being, we are carefully monitoring the COVID-19 situation with regular updates and guidance from the
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Pennsylvania Department of Health, as well as additional government agencies and health care providers. We are also working closely with our partners throughout the amusement park, entertainment and lodging industries.
Our teams across all of our properties conduct rigorous cleaning of all guest and meeting rooms and all public and back-of-house spaces several times throughout the day. Further, we follow exhaustive cleaning, sanitation, and disinfection protocols that meet or exceed extensive industry guidelines. These protocols, which assist with illness prevention, include:
- Regular sanitation training and reinforcement for our team members.
- Clearly established cleaning and disinfection cycles for all areas.
- Prominent placement of hand washing facilities and hand sanitizers.
- Fast response to off-cycle cleaning issues.
- Frequent cleaning and wash down of outdoor and high touch locations, including walkways, rides and queue lines.
Given the current concerns related to COVID-19, we are increasing our cleaning, sanitation, and disinfection frequency above our already high standards.
HE&R will more than double the number of hand sanitation machines available throughout our properties, and we are reinforcing with our team members the recommended precautionary steps from the CDC to prevent the spread of germs. These guidelines include:
- Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Cover a cough or sneeze – preferably with a disposable tissue.
- Avoid touching your face – especially your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects.
- Stay home if you have flu-like symptoms.
We are taking the necessary steps to be prepared should this issue become a more significant concern for our area. HE&R will continue to implement preventive measures in line with the recommendations of the CDC and other health agencies.
Based on the guidance we've received and our general state of preparedness, we are confident our operations continue to be safe and ready to serve our guests. We will deepen our collaboration with health and government officials, so we are prepared to take whatever steps may be necessary to ensure the safety of our guests and team members.
We value each guest that honors us with a visit to our destination, and we look forward to serving you upon your next visit to Hershey.
John Lawn
President & Chief Executive Officer
Hershey Entertainment & Resorts
Personally, I don't think any amount of cleaning and sanitation is going to stop someone who has the virus but isn't clearly struggling with symptoms to cough or sneeze into their hands whilst at the park and touch a railing, a ride, bench etc and for it to spread unwittingly. If major gatherings and/or sporting events get cancelled then you can bet SF, CF, Hershey etc will be forced to close.
