Disney to reopen theme parks in California on April 30

Disney announced on Wednesday that the company's flagship theme parks in the U.S. state of California are slated to reopen with limited capacity on April 30 after more than a year of closure amid the pandemic, reported Xinhua.

Disney laid out a detailed plan to welcome back visitors on the website of the Disneyland Resort, home to Disneyland Park and neighboring Disney California Adventure Park.

"You'll soon be welcomed back to enjoy unforgettable attractions, see beloved Disney friends, shop for the latest merchandise, savor the world-famous food and drinks, capture fun photos and cherish special magical moments," said the company in a release on the official Disney Parks Blog.

Given theme park capacity will be significantly limited to comply with governmental requirements and promote physical distancing, Disney will manage attendance through a new theme park reservation system that will require all guests to obtain a reservation for park entry in advance.

Theme parks, including Disneyland -- one of the most visited tourist attractions in California, have been closed since March last year over coronavirus fears. State officials announced earlier this month to allow theme parks to reopen as early as April 1 with capacity restrictions and other safety modifications.

According to the state's Blueprint to a Safer Economy unveiled by the California Department of Public Health, theme parks in the counties in the purple tier, the most restrictive tier of California's four-tier, color-coded system for reopening, are not allowed to reopen. But theme parks in the less-restrictive red tier will be eligible to reopen at 15 percent capacity. Maximum capacity will be increased to 25 percent for theme parks in the counties in the orange tier and to 35 percent in the yellow tier.

Orange County, where Disneyland Resort is located, moved into the red tier on Sunday.