Shedd Aquarium

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Shedd Aquarium has developed a phased approach to reopening that includes new protocols such as highly limited admission capacity, safe social distancing and increased air filtration, cleaning and sanitation measures throughout the 276,000 square feet of public space at the aquarium. New visitation requirements will also allow guests to safely stretch their wings and visit animals from green-winged macaws to red-bellied piranhas. Full operational adjustments and know-before-you-go information is available www.sheddaquarium.org. Among those include:

• New, separate entrance and exit points
• Limited hourly building capacity
• Timed-admission to maintain an even flow of guests throughout the day
• Required face coverings (ages 2+)
• Social distancing of at least 6 feet required
• Circulation paths to encourage one-directional flow
• Additional handwashing and sanitization stations
• Expanded sanitization and cleaning regimen, including frequently scheduled cleaning on high-touch surfaces and deep cleanings every night
• Physical barriers installed in places where social distancing cannot be maintained
• Temporarily pausing experiences such as the 4-D theatre and aquatic presentations to reduce large gatherings and groups

At Shedd Aquarium, animals connect you to the living world, inspiring you to make a difference. From whales to snails, tarantulas to turtles, you’ll meet 32,500 creatures from aquatic habitats around the world. Explore Shedd’s Abbott Oceanarium, where you can get face to face with beluga whales, dolphins, sea otters, sea lions and penguins. Don’t miss our special exhibit, Underwater Beauty. Then meet some of Shedd’s critters up close during live animal encounters in the Waters of the World galleries, talk to a diver in the 90,000-gallon Caribbean Reef, take a walk through a flooded forest in Amazon Rising and watch sharks overhead in Wild Reef.