German Federal States Decide on First Possible Reopening Dates for Theme Parks & Leisure Pools

Following yesterday’s ministerial conference of all 16 German federal states on a possible loosening of the currently valid corona protection measures, it is now up to the individual German states to develop and implement step-by-step plans to reopen the different economic sectors.

In some cases, there are possible reopening dates announced for amusement parks as well as for recreational pools, always subject to changes depending on the further development of ill cases. Also, when it comes to a reopening of leisure facilities, special conditions will apply, such as the reduction in visitor capacity, also to be individually defined by the respective federal state.

As things stand today, there are reopening dates announced for theme parks in the following federal states: North Rhine-Westphalia makes the start with the permit to reopen as of 11^th May, followed by Lower Saxony where amusement parks can start operations again on 25^th May. Bavaria and Baden-Wuerttemberg expect leisure parks to reopen around the Pentecost weekend (30^th/31^st May).  

Swimming pools will probably be allowed to reopen from Pentecost in Baden-Wuerttemberg, initially only for swimming courses. In Lower Saxony, open-air pools are expected to open from 25^th May. Other federal states have not decided yet on a reopening date for swimming pools. It also remains unclear at this point, which hygiene and social distancing regulations will apply when it comes to reopening. For its German members, the European Waterpark Association (EWA) has compiled an overview with links to the corona information websites of the respective federal states, available for download in the members’ portal. (eap)