The Seville Aquarium Will Reopen its Doors on July 1
Although the Government’s indications set June 8 as the authorized date for the start of activity for companies in the sector, the Seville Aquarium has decided to delay its opening due to various reasons. The main one is to follow the guidelines and recommendations of the Ministry of Health, implementing the necessary measures to ensure the safety and health of visitors and workers. On the other hand, recent events in the tourism sector have been taken into account for decision-making.
“In recent weeks, we have evaluated each of the news and events that have been happening in Spain and in our city, in addition to taking into account information from other centers with similar characteristics to ours worldwide, to conclude that the most correct decision was not to open to the public before June 30” states Juan Antonio Romero, director of the Aquarium.
In this sense, the Seville Aquarium will open its doors on July 1, after having implemented all necessary safety measures, with a new ticket purchasing system and an early booking promotion starting June 11.
SAFETY MEASURES
Currently, the Seville Aquarium is working to implement all necessary control measures to offer a safe visit. “We have implemented extensive health and safety measures to protect employees and customers. We want visitors to know that our facilities comply with all health regulations and that they will have a safe experience inside our aquarium” assures the aquarium director.
From now on, the three control measures will take priority during the visit: hygiene measures, limiting capacity below its capacity, and social distancing.
To comply with hygiene measures, an extensive protocol has been developed that begins with the disinfection of visitors’ footwear upon entering the aquarium by passing through a mat with a product recommended by the Ministry of Health for such purposes. Once inside, it will be mandatory to wear masks and disinfect hands. In addition, signage has been placed inside to remind visitors not to touch the screens or acrylic tanks.
One of the advantages is that the aquarium has a linear route, which allows control of the capacity of its facilities, thus reinforcing social distance and the tranquility of its visitors. This visitor control is not new as it was previously installed, but now the available capacity will be displayed at the ticket office at all times through a screen.
Capacity will also be controlled through the new form of ticket sales, which will be done by purchasing them selecting a specific day and time. “The need to limit capacity has made us think that adapting our online sales with timed entry tickets is the best way to ensure the public’s visit” declares Juan Antonio Romero.
To help maintain social distancing, clear signage has been incorporated in access areas and inside the route, as well as indications on doors to guide customers through the aquarium and thus limit contact with other people.
The opening hours will remain for now from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM Monday to Friday, and from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM on Saturdays and Sundays (the ticket office will close one hour earlier).
EARLY BOOKING PROMOTION
Under the slogan “Come back. Now everything is seen with different eyes” the aquarium inaugurates this new stage, in which it hopes to continue counting on the support it has received so far from Andalusians and specifically from Sevillians. “Sevillians have been ambassadors of our facilities. A fundamental audience that we hope to receive in the coming months to continue our work of raising awareness and dissemination of the sea. We also hope that one of our most beloved audiences ‘schoolchildren’ can soon enjoy the secrets of the sea again” assures Rocío Alcázar, manager of the aquarium.
And for this purpose, starting from June 11, it launches an early booking promotion with special prices (adult fare 15€/ fare for children from 4 to 14 years old, over 65s and people with disabilities 10€) through online sales on its website (www.acuariosevilla.es). The promotion can only be purchased during the month of June and used in July and August.
ANIMAL CARE
Visitors will be able to enjoy again the main attractions of the aquarium “Margarida, Xoana and Chelo” and will also be able to see all the animals that have been born during this time, as animal care in their facilities has not stopped despite being closed to the public. During this time, the aquarium has maintained complete normality in the care of its animals.
Andrés Loza, curator of the aquarium, says that “the work rhythm inside has not stopped and the biology and maintenance staff have continued working to ensure the aquarium’s operability and, of course, the care and welfare of our animals, which is our main objective. Animals don’t understand quarantines and they need to be fed and maintained 24 hours a day, every day of the year”.