Aquarium to welcome back visitors on February 5

Ticket sales limited to stay under 20% building capacity

BOSTON, MASS. (February 3, 2021) – The New England Aquarium is set to welcome back visitors on Friday, February 5, following updated guidance from the City of Boston.

Media are invited to visit on February 5. Vikki N. Spruill, President and CEO of the Aquarium, will be on-site for interviews between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. Please RSVP to Pam Bechtold Snyder at psnyder@neaq.org if you plan on attending. Members of the media will be asked to fill out an online COVID-19 risk assessment before arriving.

The Aquarium closed its doors to the public on December 16 to help the city’s efforts to control the spread of COVID-19. Animal care staff have remained on-site to provide dedicated care to the 20,000 animals at Central Wharf. Now that the city has allowed businesses and organizations in Phase 3 Step 1 to resume operations, the Aquarium is gearing up to once again offer an educational and contactless visitor experience.

“We have missed seeing visitors come through our doors each day,” said Vikki N. Spruill, President and CEO. “We are looking forward to providing people of all ages with a safe and fun environment this winter to learn about the wonders of the ocean.”

The Simons Theatre is open on Saturday and Sundays only, with the exception of Massachusetts School Vacation Week February 15-19. Certain aspects of the Aquarium experience are limited for hygiene and social distancing reasons. The Shark and Ray Touch tank remains view-only, while the Edge of the Sea Touch Tank and Science of Sharks exhibits are closed. The Aquarium After Dark series will continue with extended Friday night hours, sponsored by People’s United Bank. Upcoming theme nights will include Winter Waters on February 5 and Love at the Aquarium on February 12.

Health and safety measures will be in place in accordance with public health guidelines from the City of Boston and the Commonwealth. Those measures include:

• Strictly enforced mask wearing for those over age 5.
• Timed ticketing with ticket sale limits to stay below 20% building capacity.
• One-way guest flow with signage and floor markings to reinforce physical distancing.
• Enhanced cleaning efforts throughout the facility, with a focus on high-traffic areas.

Visitors are encouraged to visit neaq.org for ticket information and to learn more about what to expect before arriving at Central Wharf.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Pam Bechtold Snyder – psnyder@neaq.org, 617-686-5068