COVID-19 transmission in a theme-park

Aruffo, E.; Athar, S.; Raad, A.; Ali, M. A.; Althubyani, M.; Chow, C.; Ruma, M.; Liu, C.; Wu, J.; Asgary, A.; Kong, J. D.; Heffernan, J. M.

Abstract Background As COVID-19 vaccination coverage increases, public health and industries are contemplating re-opening measures of public spaces, including theme-parks. To re-open, theme-parks must provide public health mitigation plans. Questions on implementation of public health mitigation strategies such as park cleaning, COVID-19 testing, and enforcement of social distancing and the wearing of personal protective equipment (PPE) in the park remain. Methods We have developed a mathematical model of COVID-19 transmission in a theme-park that considers direct human-human and indirect environment-human transmission of the virus. The model thus tracks the changing infection/disease landscape of all visitors, workers, and environmental reservoirs in a theme park setting. Findings Models results show that theme-park public health mitigation must include mechanisms that reduce virus contamination of the environment to ensure that workers and visitors are protected from COVID-19 transmission in the park. Thus, cleaning rates and mitigation of human-environment contact increases in importance. Conclusion Our findings have important practical implications in terms of public health as policy- and decision-makers are equipped with a mathematical tool that can guide theme-parks in developing public health mitigation strategies for a safe re-opening.