Ohio’s amusement and water parks are allowed to open for business again. Governor Mike DeWine said they can resume business on June 19.
This comes after Cedar Fair, the company that owns Kings Island, Cedar Point, and the Kalahari Water Park, filed a lawsuit against the State of Ohio.
Richard Zimmerman, the CEO of the company said yesterday,
Cedar Fair fully supports the amendment to HB 665 that was adopted today in the House Agriculture and Rural Development Committee. The amendment provides for the immediate re-opening of Ohio amusement parks and water parks.
We fully anticipate and expect having the same opportunity granted to other businesses in Ohio to operate our business in a safe and manageable environment.
“As professional amusement park operators with an exemplary safety record, we are experts at managing risks and following protocols. The protocols we have developed to reopen our parks are in accordance with governmental and CDC directives, Erie County and Warren County Health Departments, medical professionals, Ohio’s Development Services Agency (DSA) and industry best practices. They are specifically responsive to the COVID-19 crisis.
Our capacity controlled, family friendly properties at Cedar Point and Kings Island, coupled with the operational expertise of our seasoned park professionals who work there, provides for an environment where predictable observance and enforcement of social distancing and COVID-19 protocols can be achieved.
This legislation not only benefits Cedar Point, Kings Island, and their guests, but also the economic viability of the local citizenry and surrounding Ohio communities.
We look forward to welcoming back our loyal guests to Ohio’s treasured amusement parks, which have brought fun and happiness to generations of families.”
Also Opening
Also allowed to reopen in two weeks are:
- casinos
- racinos
DeWine also said the Memorial Golf Tournament in Columbus will be played on July 13. The Governor said that there was no reason that other golf tournaments could not happen as scheduled this summer.
Ohio’s outdoor theaters will are allowed to open once they submit their reopening plans.
DeWine said that his administration is still looking over plans to reopen
- professional sports
- youth sports
- contact sports
- stadiums
- auditoriums
Movie theaters, skating rinks, and other entertainment venues are allowed to open June 9.
