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COVID is on the rise in America, and we’ve seen its effect on the entertainment industry. From the boom of streaming platforms like Zoom and Disney+ to the heartbreaking layoffs at the theme parks, our environment continues to change on a daily basis. Now, on the west coast, California is considering (and recommending) a two-week quarantine for incoming travelers, regardless of if you call the state home.
California Considering Quarantine
Currently, Downtown Disney, the shopping district in Orange County, CA is booming with enterprise and the ring of registers. On November 19, 2020, Buena Vista Street (essentially the Main Street, U.S.A. to Disney California Adventure) will open for shoppers and the DVC villas at Disney’s Grand Californian Resort will open in early December. California seems to be slowly waking up from its Sleeping Beauty curse, and that will inevitably draw a larger crowd.
“California just surpassed a sobering threshold — 1 million COVID-19 cases — with no signs of the virus slowing down,” Newsom stated. “Increased cases are adding pressure on our hospital systems and threatening the lives of seniors, essential workers and vulnerable Californians. Travel increases the risk of spreading COVID-19, and we must all collectively increase our efforts at this time to keep the virus at bay and save lives.”
California has barred theme parks from any full operations with its strict guidelines that The Walt Disney Company has called brash. Many reopenings in the state were rolled back as places such as L.A. County were hard hit and have not been eased.
“The Golden State is now averaging about 6,300 new cases a day over the last week, up from about 3,200 a month ago,” according to an LA Times analysis. “COVID-19 hospitalizations have risen 50% in the last month, and the coronavirus positive test rate has climbed by nearly 70%, with 4.4% of test results coming back positive over the last week, up from 2.6% a month ago.” These statistics are fairly shocking, and the entire state just hit 1 million confirmed cases. A grim milestone, indeed.
Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer warns additional actions could be necessary to tamp down the spread and bring transmission rates back down. Though what those measures would be is unclear, we know that everyone needs to do their part to help the greater good.
Therefore, L.A. County is recommending that residents don’t travel out of state and that if they do, they quarantine for 14 days upon their return. Those coming into California may soon be required to quarantine before venturing out, which could be problematic for any sort of vacation.
It has been proposed that this year’s celebrations stay at home, or you will need to isolate for those critical two weeks. If Californians (or other residents traveling into CA) do travel in the next months, the New York Times recommends the following precautions:
- Arrange for testing ahead of leaving on trips or arrivals into the state.
- Quarantine if you cannot get tested.
- Wear a mask, wipe down high-touch surfaces, and practice social distancing as much as possible.
Even if you are staying local for the holidays, health officials say you are still at risk for transmission and ask that gatherings be held outdoors with strict limitations and face coverings. It may take a few weeks for the crush of Turkey day travel or celebrations to show its effect, but Disney fans and Universal enthusiasts will want to take every precaution necessary to protect their loved ones and themselves. California considering quarantine could be a good thing.
Would you consider a quarantine period in California if it meant you could visit the Parks? Leave us a comment below!