NEWS: Update on California's Theme Park Guidelines Set to Be Shared TOMORROW

Today, California Governor Gavin Newsom held his weekly news conference where he provided various updates on the state in the midst of the worldwide pandemic.

Disney California Adventure Park

During his update, he gave a preview of what we can expect to hear TOMORROW from the state Health Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly, which could include a long-awaited update on theme park guidelines.

Governor Newsom hinted that while this update could shed some light on what the guidelines will look like, it would reiterate his often-repeated sentiment that the guidelines in and of themselves doesn’t mean “go.”

Disneyland Park

Newsom said, “That’s why we are being very sober and, forgive me, stubborn about some industries in the state that I know are eager to get guidelines. Tomorrow, Dr. Ghaly will update you on some of those industries and guidelines including sports and some of these theme parks.“

Social Distancing Markers

Governor Newsom provided one hint for what could be included in the theme park guidelines. He continued on to say, “We’re going to break up the theme parks — it’s not just one or two brands, it’s many different parts that are part of the theme park industry. But Dr. Ghaly will be updating you tomorrow on these guidelines.”

Disney California Adventure Park Social Distancing Signs

That “stubbornness” that Governor Newsom mentioned was echoed during his news conference when he responded to the question on everyone’s mind, which is when life can return to some normalcy, or, “When is this thing over?”

Disney California Adventure Exit Gate

Normalcy may not come to California until there is a vaccine, and the Governor provided his estimation on when normalcy may return after a vaccine is available. Governor Newsom noted that “the sober reality is, and this is the sober reality, the expectation should not, cannot, be this calendar year. For the overwhelming majority of us to get to where we need to go as a nation, as a state, that will not happen until 2021.”

Disneyland Park — Health and Safety Reminders

He continued on to say, “The real question is, when in 2021 are we going to see broad availability and distribution of tens of millions — dare I say, hundreds of mullions — of doses of vaccine made readily available in a way we can be confident about the efficacy of the vaccine and the impact of the vaccine on immunity.”

Disneyland ticket booths

Tomorrow’s update would follow several site visits that took place over the last couple of weeks by teams sent by Governor Newsom. These visits happened both in theme parks across California as well as Florida. Both Governor Newsom and Dr. Ghaly hoped these team visits would help inform their state guidance for reopening theme parks.

Disneyland Social Distancing Signs

In terms of when we could see these guidelines, Newsom concluded his news conference by saying, “Let’s look forward to Dr Ghaly’s presentation: An update on tier status, and some new guidelines that will be put out on issues related to theme parks and hopefully as early as late this week, early next week on team sports and other guidelines.”