Restarting Ohio: Kings Island, other amusement parks, casinos to open June 19, governor says

COLUMBUS — UPDATE @ 7:51 p.m.: One day after a lawsuit filed by amusement parks including Kings Island, Gov. Mike DeWine announced that amusement parks, water parks, casinos and racinos will be able to open June 19 -- just in time for the start of summer.

The decision to permit the reopening followed lengthy discussions with the parent company of the state’s two biggest parks -- Kings Island and Cedar Point -- on how they would plan to handle crowds and still protect people from the spread of COVID-19.

Lt. Gov. Jon Husted said initially, the parks would be limited to 20 percent capacity. Patrons may be required to have their temperature taken upon entering the parks. Face coverings could be required or strongly encouraged.

Husted said the companies that run amusement parks are anxious to provide a safe environment for people. “These are businesses and events that care about making the experience safe for people who come there and want to be a positive contributor to leisure and fun and also the health of the state,” he said.

Richard Zimmerman, CEO, Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, which owns Kings Island and Cedar Point, said, “We will provide specific opening dates just as soon as we confirm details with the governor.... The reopening of our parks is crucial to the economic viability of Erie County and Warren County, and we look forward to getting back to business and hope that other states will follow Ohio’s lead in reopening parks around the country.”

Outdoor theaters will also be able to open. In all cases, Husted said, each business is submitting a plan to the state.

The governor said his administration also has approved the PGA plan for the Memorial Tournament, to held in Dublin in July. The PGA also announced a second tournament at Muirfield in July.

“In each one of these cases, they have come up with plans that in many cases dramatically reduce the number of people, provide for sanitation, and in some cases, provide for one-way traffic. They are quite elaborate plans that we believe are consistent with protecting the public, and consistent with allowing Ohioans to go about their summer and enjoy their summer in the way they are used to,” DeWine said.

Casinos had a record year in 2019, and revenues nationwide were climbing as sports betting grew. When the pandemic hit, casinos across the country have been closed. Casino employees and operators have been dealing with furloughs and layoffs. Penn National Gaming, which operates Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway, had laid off or furloughed 26,000 employees during the pandemic.

Friday afternoon, Penn National Gaming gave a statement to WHIO:

“We greatly appreciate Governor DeWine’s announcement that Ohio’s 11 gaming facilities, including Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway, will be able to reopen on Friday, June 19th, pending final regulatory approval. We have been working closely with the Ohio Lottery Commission, the Governor’s Development Services Agency, and state and local public health officials to finalize comprehensive reopening protocols and new health and safety precautions. We look forward to sharing details of our property-specific procedures in advance of reopening and welcoming back our team members and valued guests."

Revenue losses have also hit amusement parks hard. Kings Island was scheduled to open in April. Earlier this year, Kings Island announced that anyone who bought a 2020 season pass would also be able to use it for the 2021 season.

DeWine, without mentioning members of his own political party who have been very critical of him, said some people have argued that businesses should have been allowed to reopen with no restrictions at all. He is refusing to do that.

“With the virus as contagious as it has ever been, still very much alive, it would be on my behalf as your governor irresponsible to do that,” DeWine said.

Among the most notable venues still prohibited from operating are baseball parks and football stadiums.

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