UPDATED: 05/05/3:15 p.m.
The Florida Aquarium in downtown Tampa will reopen to the public on Friday, May 15 with “strict limits on attendance and programming.”
That’s according to a 1 a.m. press release sent on Tuesday, which adds that the facility is implementing new standard operating procedures to enhance health, safety and safeguards when it comes to its guests, staff and animals. Part of those procedures include attendance limits to promote social distancing, online only ticket sales, touch-less transactions and the continued closure of animal touch tacks and outdoor play areas.
The Florida Aquarium—located at 701 Channelside Dr. near Sparkman Wharf—closed on March 16 due to the novel coronavirus.
Admission to the aquarium will require an online reservation, which the public can begin to make on May 7. A separate email to members says that annual pass holders—who’ll also have to make reservations on a first-come, first-served basis—can return on Sunday, May 10 (Mother's Day) and Monday, May 11; a Thursday email to pass holders is supposed to provide further details.
Other safety measures include required mask-wearing for staff (guests are encouraged to wear masks), no water fountains (guests may bring their own) and pre-paid parking. No strollers or wheelchairs will be available for rent either (see a full list below).
In an email Florida Aquarium President and CEO Roger German told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay that at the beginning, 150 people an hour will be allowed to enter the facility, which accounts to about 12.5% of total building capacity.
"Currently there are no time restrictions, however we will continue to evaluate to ensure physical distancing," German added.
German also said that no employees were furloughed in the fallout surrounding the coronavirus, but that his nonprofit did not even remotely dodge the financial hard hits that've been dealt to so many in the Bay area.
"Last year, during March and April combined The Florida Aquarium welcomed roughly 175,000 visitors. This March they only had 30,000 before the closure," German said. "Revenue wise, The Florida Aquarium generated over $5 million in visitation-related revenue (turnstile revenues and memberships) last March and April; only $1 million this year. So comparing March and April in 2019 and 2020 attendance dropped 83% and revenue from attendance and memberships dropped 78%."
Don't go looking for the aquarium's beloved Goliath grouper, Cleatus, however, because the fish—who made his debut at the aquarium's opening day 25 years ago—was announced dead on Monday. He was estimated to be 30 years old.
More information is available via flaquarium.org.
“We have been preparing for our re-opening for several weeks. From conducting a deep clean of all exhibits to removing unnecessary touchpoints to requiring online ticket sales, The Florida Aquarium is well prepared to provide a safe, clean and fun experience for our guests,” Andy Wood, The Florida Aquarium’s Chief Operating Officer, said in the release.
“We will continue to coordinate with local, state and federal agencies and public health officials and are prepared to make any and all adjustments necessary now and after we open, to maintain the highest standards of health and safety for all.”
"We are grateful for The Florida Aquarium's continued support to protect the health and safety of those in our community. By implementing added safety measures and capacity limits, The Florida Aquarium is taking a smart and phased approach to re-opening responsibly," Tampa Mayor Jane Castor added.
"I urge visitors to practice safe social distancing, wash your hands, wear a face-covering in congested areas, and keep the health of our vulnerable neighbors in mind. Step by step, we can get back to all the things we love about our city, but we have to work together."
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This article appears in May 7-13, 2020.