Aquarium reopens with penguin called Quentin Quarantino set to star
Melbourne Aquarium's general manager Sarah-Jane Tilbury reckons the fish, fowl and other creatures of the deep that live at the corner of King and Flinders streets have missed visitors a lot during lockdown.
That all changed on Monday, when the Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium reopened, as did the Melbourne Zoo, Healesville Sanctuary and Werribee Open Range Zoo.
Aquarium staff prepare to reopen.Credit:Jason South
Ms Tilbury said all the animals at the aquarium will be "out and about and probably keen to see people. We had an essential team in here looking after them [over the shutdown] … they are ready to go and we are keen to let them see people again."
The aquarium closed on March 23 and has spent the whole time preparing to reopen.
Only 120 people will be allowed in at a time across sessions through the day, with pre-booked online tickets required (although there are a very small number of walk-up tickets available).
Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium general manager Sarah-Jane Tilbury is delighted they can re-open.Credit:Jason South
That 1200-person-a-day limit, for only five days a week – it will be closed on Tuesday and Wednesday as they do not want all staff back to work at once – will mean considerably fewer than the usual 55,000 visitors a month pass through the aquarium's doors.
A maximum of 20 people are allowed in each of the aquarium's closed spaces and there will be increased cleaning, hygiene stations and signage about safe COVID-19 practice. Only takeaway food will be offered, with everything cashless.
Staff have been trained in safe COVID-19 practices and will have personal protective equipment, sneeze guards and temperature checks.
“We have literally spent the last eight weeks or so looking at how we reopen safely," Ms Tilbury said.
“Ensuring the safety of our team, both animal and human, and our guests have been at the top of that.
“We want to get back to creating unforgettable experiences and inspiring a love for the ocean.”
The newly installed $1.5 million "Ocean Invaders" jellyfish exhibit remains the star attraction, while three penguin chicks that hatched just before lockdown have grown much bigger.
One of them is named Quentin Quarantino, the others Lorraine and Sparkie.