National Aquarium to Reopen to the Public on July 1

On Wednesday, July 1, the National Aquarium will reopen to the public after a temporary 3-month closure due to the global pandemic COVID-19. During the unprecedented closure, our staff continued to care for our more than 20,000 animals who continue to thrive. The Aquarium has considered all aspects of the guest experience and has made some essential modifications to ensure a safe visit.

In accordance with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state and city officials, the following changes will be in effect during our initial reopening. Aquarium capacity will be limited to 25% occupancy at all times to allow for proper social distancing for both staff and guests. This will be managed by timed ticket entry and all are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance at aqua.org/tickets.

The Aquarium has put several modifications in place to promote safety including:

• All guests (ages 2 and over) and staff will be required to wear face coverings
• All guests and staff will be temperature screened prior to entry
• Guests will follow a one-way linear flow throughout the facility
• Facility will be cleaned frequently throughout the day to limit contamination

Signage and staff members throughout our campus will help guide and reinforce these practices, encouraging social distancing and highlighting accessibility routes and other important messages.

Additionally, in appreciation for their service, local public health workers will now receive $5 off General Admission Adult tickets for themselves and other adult dependents in their party.

“We could not be more excited about welcoming everyone back to the Aquarium. With safety as our highest priority, we've made major modifications to our campus and operations, using the best medical science to ensure our guests will be safe and feel safe,” said John Racanelli, CEO of the National Aquarium. “The Aquarium has been a part of this city’s cultural fabric for nearly 40 years and the support our community has shown us over these past months is inspiring. It has reaffirmed our conviction that we will not merely survive this pandemic, we will renew our efforts to inspire a new generation of hopeful conservationists.”

For more information regarding Aquarium modifications, please visit aqua.org/visit/covid-response.

National Aquarium

The National Aquarium is a nonprofit organization focused on changing the way humanity cares for our ocean planet. Through unparalleled exhibits, science-based education programs and hands-on field initiatives, we are creating a new community of hopeful conservationists, driven by our mission to inspire conservation of the world’s aquatic treasures. For more information on the National Aquarium, visit www.aqua.org.