SANDUSKY, Ohio - Lawsuits filed on behalf of Cedar Point, Kings Island, and Kalahari Resorts demand theme parks be allowed to reopen immediately.
The lawsuits were filed by the 1851 Center for Constitutional Law against Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Amy Acton in Warren County and Erie County Common Pleas Courts on Thursday.
Cedar Fair, the parks' parent company, said in a statement that it expects to have the same opportunities granted to other businesses.
The amusement park company says it is an expert at managing risks and following protocols.
The company has already established protocols in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Thursday, Gov. Mike DeWine announced that various entertainment venues could reopen on June 10. Amusement parks and water parks were not on that list.
A similar lawsuit was filed by gyms in May and a judge ordered the immediate reopening of gyms in Ohio.
The Ohio House Agriculture and Rural Development Committee added an amendment to House Bill 665 Thursday which would allow amusement parks and water parks to reopen. The parks would need to have guidance and standards set by the state Director of Agriculture with consultation from the Director of Health. The bill still has to be considered by the House and the Senate, and if approved, signed by Gov. DeWine.
The 1851 Center for Constitutional Law said Cedar Fair would join one of the lawsuits on Friday.
