OTS is implementing a phased approach to reopening which includes a reservation process, increased hygiene and sanitation practices, physical distancing and other safety measures. Those new measures include the following:

• Guests and visitors should make advance reservations to visit the aquarium. Reservations may be made at the Roundhouse Aquarium website here.
  
• There is no charge for a reservation, although donations from visitors are encouraged.
• Each reservation will be for a 15-minute period.
• The number of guests and visitors allowed in the aquarium will be limited by the aquarium's maximum allowed occupancy, as determined by government guidelines.
  
• All aquarium staff and volunteers must go through health screening, including a contactless temperature check prior to entering the building. Any guest exhibiting a fever of 100.4 or higher, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, or any other sign of COVID-19 infection will be requested to visit another day.
• Appropriate masks must be worn by all staff, volunteers and guests over the age of 2. Masks will be available to guests who might need one for a donation.
• Hand sanitizers will be available at the entrance and exit of the aquarium and should be used prior to entering and upon leaving the aquarium.
• Physical distancing of six feet between guests (other than household members) will be required during guest visits.
• High touch areas such as handrails, push buttons and handles will be cleaned and sanitized frequently.
• No strollers, luggage larger than overhead compartment size, food or drinks will be allowed in the aquarium.
• Dogs may be carried if a support animal or allowed in the aquarium if a service dog.

The public hours will be 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday and 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekends.

Guests without reservations may enter based on available spots at the time of visit, otherwise they will be asked to secure a time slot online for a future visit.

“We are excited to welcome our guests and patrons back to the Roundhouse Aquarium,” said John Roberts, PhD, the president and chairman of the board of OTS. “We are looking forward to showcasing the incredible marine life at the Roundhouse that we are so fortunate to teach about and share with our guests.”

For the last 40 years, Oceanographic Teaching Stations, Inc., a private, not-profit organization that operates and manages the Roundhouse Aquarium Teaching Center, has worked to educate all generations about the importance of our oceans, beaches and tidelands.  The Roundhouse has provided life-changing experiences for people of all ages, from a child touching a sea cucumber for the first time, to adults learning how their daily actions affect the ocean. OTS offers a series of immersive, hands-on and standards-aligned education programs.