COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced a reopening date Thursday for indoor and outdoor entertainment facilities that had remained shuttered due to coronavirus concerns.
In a release, DeWine's office said the following entertainment venues can open June 10 if they follow certain safety guidelines:
- Aquariums
- Art galleries
- Country clubs
- Ice skating rinks
- Indoor family entertainment centers
- Indoor sports facilities
- Laser tag facilities
- Movie theaters (indoor)
- Museums
- Playgrounds (outdoor)
- Public recreation centers
- Roller skating rinks
- Social clubs
- Trampoline parks
- Zoos
“As I’ve said, Ohioans are able to do two things at once. We can continue to limit the spread of COVID-19 while we safely reopen our economy. It is up to each of us to do what we can to keep each other safe and choose to keep six feet of social distance, wear masks, and maintain good hand hygiene.” said Governor DeWine in a statement. “The threat of COVID-19 remains and while it’s our responsibility to keep each other safe, business owners and employees should do their part to ensure customers visit safely, by cleaning and sanitizing surfaces regularly.”
DeWine also announced day camps and residential camps may open at any time.
However, the governor's release did not include mention reopening of the state's amusement parks, including Cedar Point in Sandusky.
When Cedar Point is given clearance to reopen, the park experience will be very different.
Last week, Cedar Fair CEO Richard Zimmerman outlined a slew of new safety measures involving the company’s enhanced app technology. Some of the highlights include a reservation system for guests to pick a date they want to visit, mobile ticket scanning, cashless payments and targeted messages with real-time alerts regarding any capacity constraints. You can read the full plan HERE.
Zimmerman also recently announced other safety measures -- including capacity limits, virtual queue lines and enhanced cleaning efforts -- that could be implemented once Cedar Fair’s parks reopen.
Cedar Point was originally slated to open for its 2020 season on May 9. The park, however, has postponed all of their 150th anniversary season festivities and attractions until 2021.
All 2020 season passes and add-ons are now valid through the 2021 season.
Park officials did announce Thursday that Hotel Breakers will reopen and welcome guests back for overnight stays beginning June 12.
“The safety of all guests and associates is Hotel Breakers’ number one priority,” Cedar Point officials said in a press release. “The hotel is committed to providing families with a safe environment, implementing new health, safety and hygiene protocols that have been informed by company and industry health experts and align with CDC guidelines.”
DeWine had been scheduled to hold a COVID-19 briefing at the Ohio Statehouse on Thursday, but out of respect for the George Floyd memorial service in Minnesota, he opted to cancel the press conference. Instead, DeWine requested that Ohioans observe a moment of silence at 2:00 p.m., when the Floyd service was set to begin.
MORE: Cedar Point to 'safely welcome guests back' to Hotel Breakers for overnight stays starting June 12