To ensure the health and safety of their guests and staff alike on opening days, Mystic Aquarium is partnering with the Visiting Nurse Association of Southeastern Connecticut, to help manage the new temperature screening process required as part of phase one in Governor Ned Lamont’s Reopen Connecticut Plan. From Wednesday, May 20 through Friday, May 22, a nurse from the VNA , a member of Yale New Haven Health, which also includes L+M Hospital, Westerly Hospital and other ambulatory services in the region, be stationed outside of the Aquarium’s main gates at the new temperature screening booth. As Aquarium staff navigate the new nature of visitation, the nurse will be on hand to help the team learn the temperature screening system, talk to guests about the process and to provide an added layer of comfort for all. “We are honored to be able to partner with community organizations to provide them with the necessary health screening protocols to assist in their COVID-19 recovery efforts,” said Patrick Green, president and CEO, L+M Hospital. “Places like Mystic Aquarium will be a haven for families that have been social distancing for the past two months and we want to be sure that visitors to the Aquarium are assured that their health is the top priority and they will be safe in visiting.” After closing in early March amid COVID-19 concerns, Mystic Aquarium is finally reopening to select groups this Wednesday and Thursday before welcoming the general public on Friday. During phase one of Governor Lamont’s plan, only access to the Aquarium’s outdoor habitats is allowed. Guests can enjoy the beluga whales, seals, Steller sea lions, African penguins and animals of the Marsh Trek including bull frogs, turtles and more. Several signs have been installed throughout the outdoor pathway to encourage one-way traffic and social distancing. Mystic Aquarium has always been dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for its patrons and employees and is taking extra precautions during these unprecedented times. The U.S. Center for Disease Control has identified regular health checks, including temperature screening, as an important mitigation strategy during this time of increased concern due to COVID-19. Mystic Aquarium’s new policies and procedures for guests are in alignment with this national strategy. Those interested in learning more about safety precautions in place at the Aquarium can visit MysticAquarium.org/reopen. About Mystic Aquarium Mystic Aquarium, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, is counted among the nation’s leading aquariums, offering exemplary care to a variety of species while also serving as the northeast’s premier marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation center. Robust conservation and education programming along with unparalleled visitor experiences serve to strengthen personal connections to the animals and their environments. The mission of Mystic Aquarium is to inspire people to care for and protect the ocean planet through conservation, education and research, and introduces approximately 800,000 guests annually to thousands of animals through structured interpretations, specially-curated exhibits and hands-on interactions. As a leading research organization, Mystic Aquarium employs a full staff of scientists engaged in projects focused on the conservation and sustainability of our ocean planet. Mystic Aquarium to Screen Visitors on Opening Days with Assistance from VNA
