UPDATE 09/08/20: As anticipated, Orange County has moved to the Substantial (red) tier, which should allow Downtown Disney restaurants to reopen indoor dining with 25% capacity.
Orange County now has daily new cases of 4.9 per 100,000 residents with a test positivity rate of 4.2%.
In order to drop another tier, the county would need to keep the positivity rate below 5% and drop their daily new cases below 4.0 per 100,000 residents (and maintain those numbers for at least two weeks and have been in their current tier at least three weeks).
There is no word yet from the Disneyland Resort or any of the Downtown Disney restaurants on any immediate changes.
As far as theme parks, in today’s press conference, Governor Newsom said that there were still many areas that were in negotiations, but that they are “getting closer.”
UPDATE 09/02/20: During this afternoon’s press conference, Gov. Newsom provided a brief update on theme parks, saying that “progress is being made.”
He added, “we’re working on some details and as soon as we are at point where we can socialize…make public…we will.
Today, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced new COVID-19 guidelines for counties that want to reopen certain businesses. The previous County Watch List has been replaced by a new 4-tier system. The state has also updated the list of businesses which can be open in certain tiers, which could be good news for Downtown Disney restaurants.
Orange County, where the Disneyland Resort is located, is officially in the most restrictive tier, however they have met the requirements to move down to the next lower tier, provided certain rates are maintained for 2 weeks.
The new tiers are in place now, but won’t be updated again until September 8th. The tiers will be updated each Tuesday after that.
Currently, Orange County has 5.6 cases per 100,000 residents and a testing positivity rate of 5.0%.
Should Orange County move to the Substantial (red) Tier on September 8th, the Disneyland Resort would have the option to add indoor dining to Downtown Disney restaurants, with a limit of 25% capacity. There would be no change to restrictions on bowling alleys, so Splitsville would likely remain closed.
The state is now taking a slower approach for counties to move between tiers, with the county not only having to maintain new rates for a least 2 weeks, but it must also be at least 3 weeks since their last movement.
The state has also updated their COVID-19 website to allows residents to research what businesses can be open in their county.
Later, Newsom was also asked about theme parks, which he said was a separate conversation. He added they they are actively looking to see “where they land” on that. His concerns, he said, are that the guidelines work not only for the larger theme parks, but also smaller amusement parks.
