Silver Dollar City employees test positive for COVID-19 weeks after theme park reopens

Silver Dollar City employees have tested positive for COVID-19 in a possible outbreak, officials say.

The popular theme park in the Branson, Missouri, area announced the employees tested positive for coronavirus since it reopened to visitors on June 13.

“Our thoughts are with them and their families during this difficult time,” Thursday’s statement from Silver Dollar City says. “We are working closely with the health departments to follow all required and recommended protocols.”

Six employees tested positive for COVID-19 in what’s being investigated as a possible outbreak, according to the Stone County Health Department. The employees wore masks, and they’re now quarantining at home, officials said. The dates of exposure are June 17, June 20 and June 24-26.

Health officials say Silver Dollar City cooperated with the investigation and requires all employees to wear masks, “making the risk of exposure very low.”

“People who were at this location on this date are at low risk for contracting COVID-19, but should monitor for symptoms,” the health department said. “There is no need to self-quarantine or isolate unless symptoms develop.”

Silver Dollar City officials say they completed contact tracing to find employees in contact with the infected workers. Those employees are quarantined from work in accordance with CDC guidelines and encouraged to undergo testing, officials said.

“While we are not commenting on specifics regarding today’s information, we reiterate that Silver Dollar City Attractions employees and leadership continue to take extensive steps to create the safest environment we can for our guests,” a spokesperson told McClatchy News.

Those steps include reducing attendance, ride capacity and the number of people in restaurants, shops, lines, restrooms and walkways, officials said. The park also requires masks for people above the age of 3, with some exceptions.

It’s also conducting temperature screening and health assessments for people entering the park, as well as providing hand sanitation and portable hand-washing stations across the park, officials said.

Other measures include frequent cleaning of surfaces often touched by people and directional, hygiene and social distancing signage, according to the park.

On the Silver Dollar City website, a disclaimer says visitors “voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19” while visiting the park.

This story was originally published July 2, 2020 at 2:44 PM.