Like most other theme parks, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Six Flags Parks in the United States suspended operations on March 13, 2020. And though there are no concrete reopening dates for these parks in the US, CEO Michael Spanos laid out a health and safety plan earlier this week that will ensure that Six Flags parks around the country are as safe as possible as soon as they get the green light to open back up from the CDC and local governments, which is the CEO estimates to be mid-May “or as soon as possible thereafter.”

This health and safety plan was formed with theme park workers, executives, and annual passholders, and will be in effect for as long as COVID-19 is still a threat. Here are all the components of this new plan: 

Keeping guests apart

According to Six Flags, the plan is to start small with park attendance capped at 25% of normal park capacity and then ramp up based on state and local guidelines. Once guests are in the parks, Six Flags will limit the number of riders waiting in queues and will paint markers on the ground to keep guests at least six feet apart. 

These measures are similar to those that are under consideration at Disney and Universal parks, and seem like commonsense ways to keep guests away from one another. However, physical distancing isn't the only new requirement that will be in place when the Six Flags family of parks reopen. 

Establishing a new normal

In addition to the physical distancing measures described above, Six Flags CEO Michael Spanos has also said that he is hoping to implement temperature checks at the entrances of every single park, and those who do not have their temperature within a certain range will not be admitted.

In addition, sanitization will be improved, with theme park operators wiping down rides throughout the day. Guests will also be able to make use of hand washing stations throughout the parks, as well as free sanitizers and masks

All of these additional measures are being introduced to establish the “new normal” at Six Flags parks, which will be in place for the foreseeable future.