The Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach adapts to COVID-19 guidelines while opening outdoor exhibits and providing an experience for visitors.
After being closed for three months, the Aquarium opened its outdoor exhibits when county and state regulations allowed it.
Many new health and safety protocols were put in place to keep volunteers, staff, and visitors safe.
Nicole Meek is the director of visitor operations at the aquarium, and has worked there for 19 years. She is responsible for guest services, security, housekeeping, and the guest support center.
“All of our employees and volunteers who enter the aquarium every day have their temperature checked before entering and they’re completing a daily health survey,” Meek said.
The aquarium is also following all PPE guidelines by providing masks, gloves, face shields, hand sanitizer and hand washing opportunities to all staff. They even set up temporary sinks to provide more hand washing opportunities, and limited staff coming onsite to just essential workers.
The aquarium is also working with visitors who bought membership passes before the closing, as well as more perks for members.
“We offer a 90-day extension to all active members to reflect the three months that we were closed. November is usually our member appreciation month, so we’re going to be doing some special exclusive member hours, developing a behind the scenes tour, and some other special online downloads for just members,” said Meek.
In order to visit the aquarium, visitors and members must make a timed online reservation, and expect to have their temperatures checked before entering the aquarium. Anyone age two or older must also wear a mask at all times unless they are eating.
Even if visitors are hesitant to go in-person, the aquarium offers options to enjoy the animals from home.
“We have webcams installed in six of our exhibits so that people can check out from home if they’re uncomfortable coming on-site, but we also have many programs available online [on our website] for people of all ages,” said Meek.
The aquarium also strives for providing a fun place for kids and a sense of normalcy during this time.
“A fun thing for parents to know is that we are moving forward this year with a modified version of our annual ‘Scarium of the Pacific’ festival,” said Meek.
The event will take place for three days from Friday through Sunday, Oct. 23-25. Kids are encouraged to dress in their Halloween costumes, and staff will be in a costume for the occasion as well. The aquarium will also have pumpkins and other Halloween decorations in the outdoor exhibit area.
“We’re all kids at heart here so many of us take the opportunity to wear costumes during this festival,” Meek said.
Claire Atkinson, the senior manager of communications, said the aquarium is ready and prepared to open indoors when regulations allow them to do so.
“We’re ready to handle an experience like that. We were open briefly in June, so we had all those protocols in place. So we’re kind of a step ahead. We’re ready to go as soon as we get the go ahead to reopen the indoor area,” said Atkinson.
As for right now, the aquarium’s outdoor exhibits and gift shop are open. Visitors can see the sea lions, penguins, shark and ray touch pool, the lorikeets, and more.
