Six Flags Over Texas, Hurricane Harbor to reopen June 22 with new safety protocols
Arlington’s Six Flags Over Texas and Six Flags Hurricane Harbor will reopen to the general public in late June, more three months after the company shuttered the parks due to the coronavirus pandemic.
But the well-known summer hot spots will look a little different, Six Flags announced on Thursday — from the limited capacity of riders allowed in, to the online reservation system that will replace long entrance lines, to the mandatory health screenings and enhanced sanitation protocols.
Hurricane Harbor, a water park featuring slides and a wave pool, is first letting its members and pass holders come back to the park on June 18, Six Flags announced on Thursday. Its theme park counterpart, Six Flags Over Texas, which sits on the other side of I-30, is letting its more dedicated patrons back starting on June 19. And then both of the parks will open to everyone on June 22.
They are returning to business under the states reopening plan from Gov. Greg Abbott, who on Wednesday said theme parks and carnivals in counties with less than 1,000 confirmed coronavirus cases could reopen immediately at 50 percent capacity. In counties with more than 1,000 infected residents, which includes Tarrant County, the parks can reopen starting June 19 at 50 percent capacity.
Swimming pools and water parks can increase to 50 percent capacity immediately, with no limitations for businesses located in counties with more than 1,000 coronavirus cases, Abbott announced.
The Texas state government has provided a checklist for amusement park operators who are reopening with protocols that must be followed. That includes training all employees on appropriate disinfection and cleaning; taking the temperatures of employees and contractors at the beginning of each shift; and having all employees and contractors maintain a social distance of six feet.
If that’s not possible, according to the checklist, then taking other steps like wearing a face mask is necessary.
The checklist doesn’t mention any guidelines for customers wearing masks. Customers also don’t have to have their temperature taken when they enter, unless they are willing to, the checklist indicates.
Six Flags Over Texas and Hurricane Harbor both announced extensive new measures on their websites:
- Health screenings for all customers and employees.
- Strictly enforced social distancing.
- More regular cleaning and disinfection.
- Sanitized food preparation.
- An online reservation system where customers will be asked to enter their ticket information, pick the time they want to visit, watch a video describing new protocols and and order pre-paid parking, if necessary. People will also have to acknowledge they understand the new policies.
