Six Flags will require guests to wear face masks when it reopens

Six Flags announced Tuesday it is getting ready to reopen its first amusement park after closing during the pandemic and says all guests will have to get used to the "new normal" when visiting its amusement parks, which includes social distancing, the use of face masks and temperature checks.

The theme park company said it will enforce strict social distancing guidelines, including mandating all guests and employees wear face masks.

“We have developed a comprehensive reopening safety plan that includes best practices from theme park and water-park industry experts which will allow guests to experience our parks in the safest possible way. This ’new normal’ will be very different, but we believe these additional measures are appropriate in the current environment," said said Six Flags President and CEO Mike Spanos.

Six Flags said all parks will have an online reservation system to stagger arrival times, thermal imaging for temperature checks, security screening technology and expanded mobile food ordering.

The company said "contact-less" IR thermal imaging will be used to screen temperatures of guests and employees prior to entry.

In addition, all guests will be asked if they are healthy and will be required to acknowledge the company’s health policies.

All guests over the age of two and all team members will be required to wear face masks covering the nose and mouth throughout their visit.

"Accommodations may be made on a case-by-case basis for persons with disabilities, health concerns, religious restrictions, or other circumstances that in Six Flags’ discretion warrant a modification of this face mask requirement," the company said.

Any guest without a face mask will be able to purchase one at the front gate, the company said.

In an effort to enforce social distancing guidelines, Six Flags will add "easy to identify distance markers" in all park entry, ride, restroom, retail locations, and dining queue lines.

Dining areas will be adjusted to allow ample space between seated parties and guests will be separated by empty rows or seats on all roller coasters, rides, and attractions, Six Flags said.

Six-foot viewing areas will be marked for guests to observe game play and arcade games will be "reconfigured or deactivated to comply with social distancing requirements."

The park said advanced security screenings will enable touch-less bag checks and capacity at indoor venues will be reduced to meet social distancing requirements.

All guests viewing outdoor entertainment will be separated by at least six feet.