When will aquariums and indoor attractions reopen in the UK?

There are 141 zoos and aquariums in the UK, which attract hundreds of thousands of visitors every year, however most indoor attractions will remain shut for the time being.

Here’s what we know about when aquariums, museums, cinemas and other indoor attractions are likely to be reopening.

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When will aquariums reopen?

The running costs of the UK’s largest aquariums is up to £10,000 a day, running bills into the millions since the lockdown began.

The policy on reopening indoor attractions like aquariums is set to be debated in parliament on July 11.

Aquariums like the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth, which houses over 5,000 sea creatures, are “hoping to reopen around July 4”.

Some non-aquarist workers have been taken off furlough in preparation, however, this currently “hangs in the balance”.

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They argue that venues such as the NMA has more floor space than shops like Ikea and Primark that are allowed to reopen before they are.

Reopening rules vary between England and the rest of the UK as Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland are opening up on independent schedules.

When will indoor attractions reopen?

Indoor attractions like cinemas and museums are in the same boat as aquariums and are subject to similar issues with ventilation and crowding.

The Museum Association has said that museums won’t be reopening “until at least July”.

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What social distancing measures will be in place?

Social distancing guidelines are likely to remain in some form until the virus significantly fades.

In the UK, this means staying at least two metres apart from people outside your household and avoiding physical contact.

It is expected this will be enforced by staff in aquariums and other indoor attractions in a similar way to how shops and supermarkets are supervised.

Drastic changes may include having to leave the seats empty on rides and lowering venue capacity.

Tickets will likely need to be bought in advance over the internet, as is the case with measures being taken in zoos from next week.

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Other measures that have been put in place at Britains larger aquariums include:

• hourly time slots to limit capacity,
• a huge reduction in daily tickets available to limit visitor numbers,
• installing more washing areas and hand sanitiser stations,
• increasing the cleaning of exhibit areas and toilets, installing markers in front of
• exhibits to help people to socially distance
• making the Aquarium route a one-way experience.

What is already opening?

Zoos and outdoor attractions are getting ready to open up on Monday June 15, with the date to be confirmed by Boris Johnson during the June 10 coronavirus press briefing.

Clothes shops like Primark are also due to open next week, but all will feature social distancing measures.

Pubs and restaurants will remain closed until July at the earliest.