Europe, Middle East, Africa Quick Takes: Movie Park Germany Starts Season; Chessington World of Adventures Becomes COVID-19 Testing Site

Take Two as Movie Park Germany Starts Season

Movie Park Germany in Bottrop began summer by reopening on May 29, two months later than planned.

“The health and safety of our guests and employees continue to have top priority. Therefore, it is our greatest endeavor to prepare the park opening with the utmost care,” says Thorsten Backhaus, managing director of Movie Park Germany. 

Movie Park Germany reopened with comprehensive safety and hygiene measures. All tickets must be bought online in advance; season passholders must use the same system to book their visits. Daily attendance is limited to ensure the safe movement of people around the 45-hectare park. 

Face masks are compulsory at entry points, in all indoor and

covered areas, in certain attractions, and waiting areas (indoors and outdoors). Markings remind guests to maintain social distancing at the park’s entrance, restrooms, and queues for rides, shops, and restaurants. Contactless payments are available at all outlets. Additional safety signage is also in place. The park is providing detailed training for employees to ensure a healthy and safe operation. 

“We also hope our visitors help to ensure a safe reopening,” says Backhaus. “We are kindly asking everyone to stick to the valid hygiene and safety regulations, and to show consideration toward each other. We will do our best to make sure our visitors enjoy a movie-like day this season.”

Chessington World of Adventures Becomes COVID-19 Testing Site

At the height of the COVID-19 outbreak, Chessington World of Adventures played a key role in fighting the virus. The theme park resort, located close to London, offered its parking lot facilities to government agencies as a drive-through, COVID-19 testing site. The temporary area allowed front-line health workers in the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS) to be tested for the coronavirus. The pioneering program helped NHS staff to find out, free of charge, if they were able to work or not. 

“We are proud to have been able to offer our assistance to the NHS during this unprecedented time,” the theme park wrote in a statement.