Kennywood, Idlewild and Sandcastle requiring masks indoors

Kennywood Park, along with Idlewild & Soak Zone, has brought back part of its mask policy now to fall in line with federal guidance now that Allegheny and Westmoreland counties are considered to have “substantial” spread of covid-19.

Both parks and sister water park Sandcastle had dropped the mask requirement for fully vaccinated visitors in May – a move that fell in line with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Nick Paradise, a spokesman for the parks, said they have continued to follow CDC guidance throughout the pandemic, and they are continuing to do so.

That federal guidance changed last week as cases surged and new information about the transmissibility of the delta variant came to light. The CDC has since recommended that everyone – including those who are fully vaccinated – wear masks in counties that are considered to have substantial spread of the virus.

Allegheny County – home to Kennywood and Sandcastle – moved into that category Monday. The CDC has four tiers of transmission: low, moderate, substantial and high. Westmoreland County — home to Idlewild in Ligonier Township — moved into the substantial spread category on Tuesday.

“We’re asking all guests and team members to wear a mask when indoors…, per the CDC’s guidance,” Paradise said.

In the health and safety section of websites for the parks, the “guest responsibilities” section has been updated to include this message on masks: “In accordance with guidance from the (CDC), to maximize protection from the delta variant and prevent possibly spreading it to others, wear a mask indoors in public if you are in an area of substantial or high transmission. Unvaccinated individuals should wear a mask indoors and outdoors.”

Examples of indoor locations include restrooms, retail shops, employee officers and indoor dining areas.