Zoos, movie theaters, museums, outdoor playgrounds can reopen next week

Here's an exclusive after hours look into the life of Fiona, the world famous hippo and her mother Bibi at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden on Wednesday night, October 24, 2018. Michelle Curley, the Zoo's Communications Director is pictured doing a selfie with Fiona getting in on the action. Both Fiona and Bibi love to pose for the camera. TOM GILLIAM / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Credit: Tom Gilliam

Credit: Tom Gilliam

Here's an exclusive after hours look into the life of Fiona, the world famous hippo and her mother Bibi at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden on Wednesday night, October 24, 2018. Michelle Curley, the Zoo's Communications Director is pictured doing a selfie with Fiona getting in on the action. Both Fiona and Bibi love to pose for the camera. TOM GILLIAM / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Gov. Mike DeWine announced Thursday that entertainment facilities can reopen with health and safety restrictions.

Aquariums, art galleries, country clubs, ice and roller skating rinks, indoor family entertainment centers, indoor sports facilities, laser tag facilities, movie theaters, museums, public recreation centers, social clubs, trampoline parks and zoos will be able to reopen beginning June 10.

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Outdoor playgrounds also are included in the latest orders, and day camps and residential camps may open at any time, DeWine’s office announced.

Kings Island and Cedar Point fans are still waiting to learn when the parks can reopen.

DeWine spokesman Dan Tierney said today regarding amusement parks: “Guidance is still being developed for those facilities.”

Richard Zimmerman, CEO of Cedar Fair Entertainment Co., said the company supports legislation in the Ohio House that provides for the immediate reopening of Ohio’s amusement parks and water parks.

“As professional amusement park operators with an exemplary safety record, we are experts at managing risks and following protocols,” Zimmerman’s statement said. “The protocols we have developed to reopen our parks are in accordance with governmental and CDC directives, Erie County and Warren County health departments, medical professionals, Ohio’s Development Services Agency and industry best practices. They are specifically responsive to the COVID-19 crisis.”

He said Cedar Point and Kings Island provide space for social distancing, and that reopening the parks also will benefit the economy of the areas surrounding the parks.

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