California to release Disneyland reopening guidelines on Oct. 20

California Gov. Gavin Newsom is expected to announce reopening guidelines for Disneyland and other theme parks, as well as other businesses, during a Tuesday, Oct. 20, press conference, Newsom said on Monday.

Disney has been waiting for the reopening guidelines for months. Disneyland has been closed for more than seven months due to the coronavirus pandemic. Disney and the state have been at odds over the reopening with some guidelines deemed too strict by the theme park industry. Disney Executive Chairman Robert Iger stepped down from Newsom’s Economic Recovery Task Force.

Newsom last week sent a team to Walt Disney World and other parks to review how those park were operating with new health and social distancing protocols. He has also sent teams to Disneyland and other theme parks to review how they are prepared for reopening.

California Secretary Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly is expected to announce the guidelines.

Newsom said on Monday that the state is going to break up the theme parks in terms of reopenings. “It’s not just one or two brands, it’s many different parts that are part of the theme park industry,” he said.