Newsom: CA Will Reopen “Methodically And Stubbornly”
Gavin Newsom says CA will attempt to avoid “fits and starts”…
It’s not going to be easy to get California’s theme parks open. And that is just how California’s governor wants it.
Newsom Keeps Foot Off The Gas
Late Friday, Deadline’s Jill Goldsmith reported that CA Gov. Gavin Newsom remains committed to a very slow on-ramp to reopening:
Newsom said Friday the only path to sustainable economic recovery from the battering ram of COVID-19 is to avoid early mistakes and open businesses more slowly despite the pain.
“It’s very raw. I am well aware of the mandates we put out as a state; the mandates that are put out by local health officers… The need and desire for people to get back to work and open their doors,” he said during a virtual Q&A at Milken Institute’s annual Global Conference.
Image: Disney/Rebecca Campbell
At the same time, you’ve got to balance public health if you are committed to sustainable economic growth and recovery. Not situational economic growth and recovery. What I learned is the errant way that we reopened after the first few months that we had held the line.”
Theme Parks Hit Hard
Delving deeper, Deadline explained:
Few industries in entertainment — which rep a big chunk of the state’s economy — have been harder hit than theme parks. Owners have been in back-and-forth with the governor over when the industry will get guidelines to reopen safely – something parks have done in other states and around the world. Newsom recently said he was ‘in no hurry’ to reopen parks then backtracked but hints and promises have not yet resulted in anything declarative, causing Walt Disney executive chairman Bob Iger to resign from a state recovery task force.
Photo: MasterClass
Moreover, Newsom said CA is fighting through the first wave of COVID-19.
And the governor reiterated that a methodical approach, espcially with people going back inside during the winter, is the only way he plans to proceed.
Photo: ABC
“We are doing it much more methodically and we are doing it much more stubbornly. But in a way that I believe will ultimately aid our economic recovery by not having the fits and starts that an opening and closing that I think is very likely to persist and be advanced.”
Disneyland Remains In Limbo
Translated, that indicates that the governor was not bluffing when he recenlty told the public he was in no hurry to open SoCal’s theme parks.
So, stay tuned… But don’t hold your breath.
