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In the event Alton Towers is open on Saturday will you be attending?

In the event Alton Towers is open on Saturday will you be attending?

  • Yes

    Votes: 7 12.7%
  • No

    Votes: 37 67.3%
  • I can't see this poll

    Votes: 2 3.6%
  • I wasn’t planning to visit until November anyway?

    Votes: 9 16.4%

  • Total voters
    55
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You continue your attempt to be a complete tool.

What was said in @BarryZola's post was completely factually correct. I have agreed with you on this topic for the most part but this senseless attack is bizarre and unneeded.

Suddenly there are a lot of "holier than thou" people acting as though they are better than everyone else for acting on government advice. This wasn't so fashionable three months ago. So let's not get on our high horses now.
 
What was said in @BarryZola's post was completely factually correct. I have agreed with you on this topic for the most part but this senseless attack is bizarre and unneeded.

Suddenly there are a lot of "holier than thou" people acting as though they are better than everyone else for acting on government advice. This wasn't so fashionable three months ago. So let's not get on our high horses now.

Bringing in pointless political snipes about brexit is reasonable?

Wobble off :)
 
Let's all try and keep things civil please. There's a lot of crap around at the moment and a lot of frustrations, but let's try not to let that spill over to taking little digs at each other on the forum.

Thanks.
 
I've decided I wont be going up and think its totally irresponsible for Merlin to open the park. This is purely about the money and not about the safety of their guests and staff. Very disappointed but not surprised.
 
Whilst I agree @GaryH, they're not the only business in this position. There are lots of business that are open that should, in my opinion, be closed. We can blame that on the government for being so impotent.
 
Whilst I agree @GaryH, they're not the only business in this position. There are lots of business that are open that should, in my opinion, be closed. We can blame that on the government for being so impotent.

Totally agree, the government should have told them directly to not open, not merely suggest people dont go there.
 
Totally agree, the government should have told them directly to not open, not merely suggest people dont go there.

I get the logic behind the wording though. By advising against it they know that some will ignore it and keep the positive cases trickling in, which is what they want to help reach the 60% herd immunity. Once the NHS gets closer to its capacity then the instructions will change.

In regards to Towers I'm not going now because I think a high amount of people that do go will catch it due to it sitting on the restraints until when cleaned. It's out there more than the figures show due to it being impossible to test everybody.
 
In regards to Towers I'm not going now because I think a high amount of people that do go will catch it due to it sitting on the restraints until when cleaned. It's out there more than the figures show due to it being impossible to test everybody.

See I live in London so when taking the tube I held onto the pole etc so the restraints don't concern me too much, just wash your hands and avoid touching your face until you do. Its the chance of someone coughing or sneezing onto you that you should be a lot more concerned about.
 
Currently in bed with a head like a hot stone and not able to sleep. My advice, stay at home don't contract this or pass it to a loved one, be responsible where Merlin (and others) won't.
I think it will be out of their hands very soon.
Will schools going to restricted opening for key works children only. All leisure venues will be next for total closure.

Sent from my SM-J600FN using Tapatalk
 
I hope so Delta and I guess it will too. I'm disappointed that Merlin would be so irresponsible, I can't believe they've dragged it out, I thought they would have loved to SBNO the whole park :p

Given your work background any thoughts on this devils advocate?
How are Merlin (and others) able to operate a theme park in good faith, which could in theory put a strain on the emergency service if there was to be an RTO en route or from the park, if there was to be a large scale incident in the park or a later outbreak of Covid 19 from attendees. Could there be some certificate (H&S?) that Merlin would be in breach of if the park was to open without the support of the emergency services, like a football match would be for example?

To the 14.9% who voted yes, please please review your reasons for going to the park. Gangster granny will still be there when the park re-opens.
 
I guess the attitude of those who say they would visit is, well the park is open and i’m feeling fine so I’ll go.

As we know Merlin should act responsibly and not of even been thinking of opening but they seek to exploit the situation by making a fast buck while others close.

There is also the obvious questions closing is going to cause, people will want AP / MAP refunds or passes frozen and are Merlin set up to deal with that...

I don’t believe they’ll open but they are now once again leaving it late to announce it. If we don’t get the statement today then Merlin are behaving extremely irresponsible.
 
Could there be some certificate (H&S?) that Merlin would be in breach of if the park was to open without the support of the emergency services, like a football match would be for example?
Well conceivably this could fall under the Health and Safety at Work Act. The duty for employers to protect employees and the duty for employers to protect non-employees is enshrined in law.

I think this whole thing is also a PR minefield. I don't think it is a good image for any business that puts people into close contact unnecessarily to open in these circumstances.
 
I think this whole thing is also a PR minefield. I don't think it is a good image for any business that puts people into close contact unnecessarily to open in these circumstances.

I agree. It's a PR minefield & let's face it, bad PR is the last thing Alton Towers need.

If they do open, they are definitely putting staff at risk - it is impossible to check ride harnesses and maintain a safe distance from the guest. Yes, the staff can wear disposable gloves to protect their hands from germs on the harnesses, but what if the guest coughs or sneezes when they are checking the harness? (It will happen).

Whilst I have been glad to knock Wetherspoons on the other thread, they have put some sensible advice on their website (sit at alternate tables to maintain social distancing, pay by card if possible, use the app etc). On a theme park ride, you cannot maintain social distancing as all the seats are close together. Or are Merlin going to run their rides at 50% capacity (i.e. only allow half of the seats on each row to be occupied)? That will hammer throughput.

I suspect the matter will be taken out of their [Merlin's] hands before Saturday as a lockdown will be ordered.
 
On a theme park ride, you cannot maintain social distancing as all the seats are close together. Or are Merlin going to run their rides at 50% capacity (i.e. only allow half of the seats on each row to be occupied)? That will hammer throughput.

i would assume you could sit next to the people in your group but no strangers in same row (so definitely no single riders). As the group you arrived with were probably in the car to the park with you anyway so sitting next to them on a ride is fine. Maybe they will leave empty rows between groups on coasters too.

throughput shouldnot be a huge concern as I don’t think they will be busy at all.
 
Yes but consider there will be people who will be asymptomatic and they will be holding onto lapbars, handles, restraints etc. The next guest in the same seat will then be holding onto the same items. That is a transmission risk if either of those people don't wash their hands effectively or touch their face etc.
 
Yes but consider there will be people who will be asymptomatic and they will be holding onto lapbars, handles, restraints etc. The next guest in the same seat will then be holding onto the same items. That is a transmission risk if either of those people don't wash their hands effectively or touch their face etc.

But that is the same on the train, McDonalds counter, toilet door handle etc etc. The don't touch your face and wash your hands advice has been in place for weeks.

Of course visiting Alton Towers is not essential, but for those who do the biggest risk is someone coughing on you.
 
Taken from Alton site

Proximity - Where close proximity between guests and staff is necessary, for example in checking ride harnesses, we will keep this to a minimum and operate in line with the latest guidance. This might mean that some rides and attractions may not be available during your visit.

So basically, business as usual o_O
 
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