NEW YORK (WCBS 880) – One of the last industries still entirely shut down in New York state is amusement parks, and now operators are looking for reopening guidance from the state in time for next year.
Alessandro Zamperla, president and CEO of Central Amusements International, said he knows the summer season is basically a total loss at this point, calling it “devastating.”
Zamperla’s company operates Luna Park at Coney Island and he said they’re already thinking about next year.
“We’re looking for some guidance, we’re looking for some support from the government,” Zamperla said.
He’s one of several amusement park operators who have signed onto a letter to Gov. Andrew Cuomo asking for a concrete plan that leads to a reopening.
He said the park can operate safely in a COVID world by limiting park capacity, adding sanitizing stations and practicing social distancing on rides like the Cyclone.
Zamperla said he’s also looking for some financial help from the city, which acts as the company’s landlord at Coney Island.
“When we’re talking about the survival of our industry, of our business, we’re talking about thousands of jobs,” he said.
In New Jersey, outdoor amusement parks were allowed to reopen in early July.