Britons keen to get out of the house and fill their days with some socially distant excitement might be excited to hear that Alton Towers is reopening its door this weekend. However, the experience might not be the one that thrill-seekers are used to.
The theme park, located in Staffordshire, will reopen to the public on Saturday, June 6, but those hoping to ride some of its famous rollercoasters might have a little bit longer to wait.
Outdoor spaces will be opened to the public, notably the park’s vast outdoor gardens, allowing people to take walks there throughout the day.
Food and drinks will also be available from the site’s takeaway service.
However, with little indication from the government on when they can reopen the rest of the park, bosses are still unsure about when rides will restart.
READ MORE: UK camping & caravan: Britons to visit this seaside spot first
A statement on the Alton Towers website reads: “Tickets will need to be pre-booked before visiting.“The health and safety of our guests and staff is always our number one priority and we have therefore introduced a number of additional hygiene and safety measures which you’ll see in place when you visit.”
Both visitors and staff will be subject to temperature checks prior to entry.
Hand sanitiser will be available for guests, and staff will be kitted out in PPE and undertaking rigorous cleaning throughout the day.
Though the park has not announced a confirmed reopen date, it has revealed some changes that will be in place once the rides are given the green light to restart.
Temperature checks will remain in place, as well as social distancing markets.
Guests will only be allowed on rides within their social group and must take one row per group on rollercoasters.
Alton Towers assures it will roll out more hygiene stands throughout the park, however, hopes that face masks will not be mandatory.
Jonathan Ellis, the park’s Health, Safety & Security Director, said: “Once it is safe to reopen, we ask you to please support us in the simple steps of respecting each other when you visit; in terms of giving each other sufficient space, in keeping the resort clean and most of all in washing your hands.
“We see these not as short-term measures, but as the ‘new normal’ way that we will operate until such time as the health risks of COVID-19 are fully addressed.”
