ReportageThe theme parks were able to reopen their doors on Wednesday, June 9, after seven months of closure. At Parc Asterix, the public and employees shared the same enthusiasm.
They lined up on either side of the central alley, just behind the park entrance gates. “I want to hear ‘hello’, I want to see smiles in my eyes, let’s go! “, launches a manager to the teams who have gathered for this guard of honor. No need to encourage them, joy is in order. The first to arrive enter under heavy applause, and moved.
A young visitor raises his arm in victory, another tries a “check” with Obelix, but it will be nicely no: Covid-19 obliges, the characters, even if they come out of a comic book, do not have the right to be affected. A sparse crowd advances and a ” Well done ! “ escapes from the ranks of park employees. “No, well done to you! “, an echo responds quickly. It is 9 am, Wednesday June 9, and the doors of Parc Astérix are open, for the first time in almost seven months.
“We have been waiting for this for a long time, it was very important for us to be able to reopen today”, insists Delphine Pons, general manager of the park located in the Oise, the third most visited in France and one of the first to reopen for this third stage of deconfinement. “ People want conviviality, enthusiasm, emotion, sensations… we are delighted to find them ”, she rejoices.
“We intend to take advantage of it”
It is clear that the pleasure is shared. Celine and Eddy, 41 and 39, along with their family, were among the first to enter the park, their ” prefer “ In the region. “As soon as we knew it was opening, we booked, says Eddy, from Provins (Seine-et-Marne). We bought tickets last November, just before it closed. We waited a long time, so now we intend to enjoy it, we feel a bit like children! “ Between the sun and the moderate crowds that allow everyone to enjoy the attractions without having to wait in long queues, the conditions are ideal for them.
Because the park had to adapt to the health situation. A maximum capacity of 65% of the capacity, ie 20,000 visitors, was decided and the organization was revised to adapt to the sanitary protocol. Wearing a mask is compulsory from the age of 11, more than 900 hydroalcoholic gel dispensers have been installed, a disinfection plan for attractions has been established, markings on the ground ensure the distance between groups and visitors must book in advance. line before you come.
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