Overview:
People often visit amusement parks, carnivals, and similar places with their children for leisure and entertainment. With number of COVID-19 cases increasing, such highly crowded public places can result in the rapid spread of COVID-19 infection. To prevent this spread, one should follow physical distancing and other COVID-19 preventive measures in these places. This article talks about various precautionary measures to be adopted while visiting amusement parks and similar places to prevent COVID-19 from spreading.
How Does Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Spread?
SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, can spread quickly between individuals in close contact. Respiratory droplets get released when an infected person sneezes, talks, or coughs. These droplets contain viruses, which land in the noses and mouths of people nearby, contaminating them, or they can inhale the droplets. Infected individuals that do not exhibit any symptoms can also spread the virus. Infection can also spread by touching a surface or some object with the SARS-CoV-2 virus on its surface and then rubbing the nose, mouth, or eyes.
Risk Levels of COVID-19 Spread at Amusement Parks and Carnivals:
How to Maintain a Healthy Environment at Amusement Parks?
Before opening the amusement park or carnival for the general public, ensure all work areas, open spaces, and public utility areas, such as rides, gardens, museums, gift shops, and movie theaters, are properly sanitized using 1 percent Sodium Hypochlorite solution. The following safety tips need to be followed even at this point of time,
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All frequently touched surfaces, such as handrails, benches, elevator buttons, doorknobs, slides, and washroom fittings, including floors and walls, should be cleaned and disinfected regularly using 1 percent Sodium Hypochlorite solution. This should be done before the entertainment park is opened, at the end of the day, and at other regular intervals.
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Multiple hand washing stations and hand sanitizers with a stand should be installed in various places, so the public can use them to sanitize their hands regularly.
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Make arrangements for adequate toilets with hand sanitizer dispensers.
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Hygiene should be maintained in all drinking and handwashing stations, toilets, lavatories, and showers.
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Face masks should be disposed of in separate bins with lids, which should be placed in all common areas.
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Water parks and all water rides should have proper water filtration and chlorination. There should be limitations on the number of people on such rides.
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Movie theatres should only allow 50 percent of seating capacity, and adequate physical distancing norms should be followed.
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Most importantly, only vaccinated people should be allowed inside theaters, amusement parks, and other public places. The staff should make sure the guests are vaccinated with all the eligible shots, to reduce unnecessary infection spread.
How to Maintain Physical Distancing in Amusement Parks?
Specific markings should be made on the floors to remind people to sit or stand, keeping their distance. Similar signs should also be stuck in office areas and common utility areas. Staff members should ensure physical distancing in queues inside and outside the premises. Locker rooms should also be disinfected, and staff members should be encouraged to maintain physical distancing.
How to Manage Crowds in Amusement Parks?
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Special planning is needed to handle crowds on weekends and holidays.
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Online tickets must be encouraged. This will avoid long queues outside for tickets, and also, the number of tickets sold online can help you plan physical distancing norms.
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Tickets should be collected at the entry, and the number of visitors inside the park at any particular time should not exceed the permissible limit.
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CCTV should be put up in various places to monitor crowding at food courts and rides.
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Signs and posters explaining the do's and don'ts should be put up in prominent places or can be printed on the tickets.
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Encourage contactless payment if online ticket booking is not possible.
How to Stop the Spread of COVID-19 in Amusement Parks?
General Safety Measures Against COVID-19:
COVID-19 appropriate behavior should be promoted to decrease the risk of the infection spreading. Make sure the staff and visitors follow these tips -
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Face masks or covers are mandatory. Make sure the mask or cloth covers the nose and mouth properly.
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When playing activities or games in the park that require using the hands, always wear gloves
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Maintain at least six feet distance or as much as possible from others.
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Everyone should wash their hands frequently with soap and water for 40 to 60 seconds, even when their hands are not visibly dirty.
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Wherever feasible, alcohol-based hand sanitizers can be used. The alcohol content should be more than 60 percent, and one should rub their hands together for at least 20 seconds.
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Respiratory etiquettes, such as sneezing with the nose and mouth covered using a tissue or flexed elbow, should be strictly followed. The tissue should be immediately disposed of in a closed dustbin and disinfect the hands properly.
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One should check their body temperature and the presence of other symptoms before leaving the home.
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Avoid spitting in public places.
Ways to Protect the Vulnerable Population:
More vulnerable people, such as those above 65 years of age, individuals with comorbidities (other chronic diseases), children (below ten years of age), and pregnant women, should stay home.
Staff members who are older than 65 years, those who are pregnant, and those with some underlying medical conditions should take extra precautions. Such members should work in the back office or be encouraged to perform duties that do not require direct contact with the public.
Safety Tips at the Entry and Exit:
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Hand sanitizers should be made available at the entrance and in various other places.
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Thermal screening is a must.
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The entry and exit gate should be separate.
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Only asymptomatic staff, employees, and visitors should be allowed inside the premises.
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Allow employees and visitors to enter only if they have covered their nose and mouth with face covers or masks. Face masks should be worn at all times inside the premises.
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Ask staff members to ensure social distancing and proper queue management at ticket counters, parking lots, corridors, and elevators.
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Encourage people to park their own vehicles and avoid valet parking. If valet parking is made available, operational staff should wear face masks, and the steering wheel, keys, door handles, etc., should be appropriately disinfected before taking and handing over the vehicle. First, clean the surfaces with water and soap, then disinfect using diluted bleach solutions or 70 percent alcohol solutions.
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Use clinically approved disinfectants to clean floors every four hours.
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Wear PPE (personal protective equipment) while disinfecting the premises.
Safety Tips Within the Premises of the Amusement Park:
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Chairs and benches to be placed to ensure at least six feet between them.
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Restrict the number of people riding the elevator together.
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Properly mark the ways to guide visitors in between different rides.
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Mark the escalator steps to allow one person on alternate steps.
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In rides, disinfect the commonly touched surfaces before each group of people.
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Ask visitors to sanitize their hands before and after rides.
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In food courts, only 50 percent of seating capacity should be permitted.
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Food court waiters should wear masks and gloves.
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Contactless and digital ordering and payment to be encouraged.
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Tables should be sanitized after a customer leaves.
Conclusion:
In this COVID-19 outbreak, it is important to stay protected. Public places can become safe if everyone starts following the safety measures as instructed by the healthcare authorities. Most importantly, do not forget to washing the hands and disinfect all the purchased items after reaching home and and stay vaccinated.
