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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Entertainment
Daisy Jackson

The new reopening guidance for visitor attractions such as museums, galleries, zoos and theme parks

Yesterday the government confirmed the easing of many lockdown restrictions, with pubs, restaurants, hairdressers and hotels permitted to reopen from July 4.

Several types of visitor attraction will be allowed to welcome back their first guests since March, including museums and galleries, theme parks, indoor zoos and aquariums and amusement arcades.

The government has released a set of guidance for the visitor economy, working with various industry associations to produce rules and advice.

Each sector will have its own guidance released soon, but the government guidance sets out some general measures for all visitor industries.

The number of visitors on site will need to be closely managed to ensure social distancing is being observed - even with the new 'one meter plus' measure.

(Manchester Evening News)

Establishments will also be expected to work with neighbouring businesses and local authorities to mitigate the impact of queues on public spaces and fire escapes.

The government has reminded those who are accompanied by children that they are responsible for supervising them at all times.

Customers can also expect to be asked to use hand sanitising stations and facilities as they enter the premises.

Zoos and aquariums

(Manchester Evening News)

Though zoos were allowed to open from June 15, indoor attractions will also be permitted from July 4.

New guidance from the British and Irish Association of Zoos (BIAZA) has been published today, intended to protect staff, visitors and animals.

The body is working with other associations and the government to align the UK's guidance for safely coming out of lockdown.

Its guidance includes reopening at a significantly reduced capacity - around half of the normal visitor numbers - until social distancing measures are deemed to be successful, at which point attractions could step up to 75% capacity.

It suggests capped, timed entry slots as possible way to manage crowds.

Zookeeper talks and animal shows will be suspended unless social distancing measures can be put in place.

Sheltered areas may be taped off to prevent crowds gathering in good weather, with BIAZA suggesting attractions hand out umbrellas and waterproof ponchos.

Every other car park space may need to be taped off, and reopenings are encouraged on weekdays rather than weekends.

As with bars and restaurants, the BIAZA also advises zoos and aquariums to consider how best to collect and store people's contact details, in case of a local outbreak where contact tracing may be necessary.

The guidance advises that a safe waiting area may be necessary, and suggests a system where people can wait for their entry in their cars to account for bad weather.

The number of people entering and leaving sites will have to be monitored, and visitors will be discouraged from touching glass windows or other barriers around enclosures - so no more tapping on the glass to get an animal's attention.

Amusement parks

UK Hospitality is developing guidance for amusement parks, attractions and family visitor centres.

The guidance is expected to follow similar lines to that of zoos, with the government advising that the number of visitors will need to be assessed to make sure it's at a level that will enable social distancing.

The government guidance also suggests timed ticketed entry, one-way systems, and queue management.

Museums and galleries

(Manchester Evening News)

Specific guidance for museums has been drafted by the National Museum Directors Council, according to the government's visitor economy guidance.

The Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (ALVA) is also developing guidance for individual attractions, both indoor and outdoor.

Working with its members, it's expected it will share templates and best practices to enable risk assessments soon.

Other attractions

Indoor and outdoor venues permitted to reopen from July 4 include cinemas, bingo halls, social clubs, amusement arcades, theatres and concert halls (though with no live performances).

These areas will be covered by guidance that the government is currently developing.

We'll all have to wait a while longer to visit other attractions such as night clubs, bowling alleys, indoor skating parks, swimming pools and soft play centres.

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