Both locals and would-be visitors from around the world have been missing our Monterey Bay Aquarium.
The non-profit aquarium closed its doors to the public nearly a year ago on March 12, 2020, but it’s planning for a future day when it welcomes people back.
Under California’s blueprint for a safer economy aquariums can open at 25 percent capacity once a county enters the red tier. Monterey County is still in the purple but has seen cases decline in recent weeks.
When the aquarium does reopen a visit there will be different from years past. Officials say, “when we’re open, we are going to be one of the safest places to be around.” The aquarium has instituted timed ticketing it can control the flow of visitors and the number of visitors in the building.
The non-profit has lost $55 million in revenue since closing last March, meanwhile, it spends $1.3 million a week caring for its animals. The Aquarium said it has been staying afloat thanks to donations both large and small.
