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Virginia Aquarium welcomes back guests during wave one opening

Posted at 4:29 PM, Jun 13, 2020
and last updated 2020-06-19 06:49:24-04

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center will begin welcoming back guests starting June 19 in compliance with the governor's phased opening plan.

New safety measures have been developed to keep guests, staff, volunteers, and animals safe.

Online reservations are now required to create a touch-free payment process. Limited capacity with timed tickets will be enforced for both members and general admission.

Guests 10-years-old and older, staff, and volunteers are required to wear face coverings.

One way paths and signage have been created to enforce social distancing throughout the aquarium.

The Virginia Aquarium says they have increased sanitation procedures and installed additional hand sanitizing stations around the aquarium.

The aquarium is currently not accepting reservations from 1 p.m., to 2 p.m., each day for staff to conduct thorough cleaning and sanitation.

“We are excited to begin reopening to guests and members, and we are pleased to implement these new policies to help protect our guests, members, staff, volunteers, and animals. Their safety is paramount, and these procedures will ensure that their only focus during a visit to the Aquarium is to enjoy themselves,” said Cynthia Spanoulis, President and CEO of the Virginia Aquarium. “We are proud to be a continuing community resource and pillar of marine science, even during our closure, and we appreciate all of the support from our friends.”

During wave one of opening, the cafe, snack stand, and the Giant Screen Theater will remain closed. The aquarium will not offer special programs, behind-the-scenes tours, and scheduled feeding presentations. They will also not host private events, summer camps, or school programs.

For more information, click here.