Six Flags Nationwide Plan Reopening For Summer, Thousands of Seasonal Staff to Be Hired

Six Flags has announced it will reopen all of its 26 theme park locations for the summer of 2021 and will hire thousands of new staff, while taking precautions against the spread of COVID-19.

The Texas-based theme park operator had closed all its parks in mid-March last year due to the pandemic but began reopening in June 2020. By the end of the year, 20 locations were operating again.

Six Flags issued a statement on Friday confirming the move, announcing virtual hiring fairs and listing opening dates and new attractions. They also stressed the safety measures the company was adopting.

"The company is celebrating its 60th anniversary season with safety at the forefront and an impressive list of record-breaking roller coasters, thrilling rides and water attractions, innovative special events, and tasty, new culinary offerings," the statement said.

"Our guests and team members are ready for the return of fun and signature Six Flags thrills in 2021," Senior Vice President of Park Operations Bonnie Weber said.

"Last year, we set the standard for operating our parks safely, and entertained millions of guests in adherence to government, and CDC health guidelines at 21 of our 26 parks. We offered a local and outdoor entertainment venue spanning dozens to hundreds of acres where families and friends could safely spend time together."

"We kept our guests and team members safe by requiring masks to be worn in the parks, providing contactless temperature and security screenings, enhancing our cleaning and sanitization measures, and closely monitoring attendance throughout operating hours in order to maintain proper social distancing.

"Now we are hiring and preparing to reopen every Six Flags park in our system as we continue to work with state and government officials to set firm reopening dates for our parks in California, Illinois, Massachusetts, Mexico City, and Canada," Weber said.

Six Flags developed its reopening plan in "consultation with epidemiologists" and said the plan "sets standards for executing at the highest levels of hygiene and social distancing protocols."

The Six Flags website also noted that COVID-19 remains a concern and urged potential guests to "evaluate their own risk in determining whether to attend. People who show no symptoms can spread Coronavirus if they are infected, any interaction with the general public poses an elevated risk of being exposed to Coronavirus."

Park reopening dates are subject to change, the company said, highlighting COVID-19 guidelines from county, state and federal authorities. Nonetheless, Six Flags is planning to hire thousands of new team members for the summer season.