Metro Vancouver museums, attractions reopen after months of closures during pandemic

VANCOUVER -- After being closed for months, some museums, galleries and attractions in Metro Vancouver are reopening.

Here's what visitors should expect.

Museum of Vancouver

The Museum of Vancouver reopened on June 11 and is operating with limited hours. The museum is only open Thursday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Entrance times are staggered at 15-minute intervals and visitors must buy tickets for their specific entry time online. Only 10 people are allowed in at each entry time.

As well, galleries have one-directional signage and sanitizing stations are readily available. Interactive objects have been removed temporarily. 

While face masks aren't required, they are recommended, and visitors can expect to see more staff present cleaning high-touch surfaces.  

Maritime Museum

Vancouver's Maritime Museum also opened June 11 and its temporary opening hours are from Thursday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Tickets don't need to be purchased online, but it's strongly recommended. They're also being sold for 15-minute entry intervals.

No more than 50 people are allowed in the museum at one time, including staff members. When they arrive, visitors will see a sign showing how many people are currently inside the museum.

Coat and bag check services are temporarily suspended and visitors are asked to avoid bringing backpacks with them. 

Visitors will also notice more sanitizing stations, Plexiglas barriers and directional signage to control one-way traffic. Tours aren't available, temporarily.  

Vancouver Art Gallery

The Vancouver Arty Gallery, which closed on March 16, will reopen on June 15. The first reopening day will be set aside for members and donors, however. The gallery will then be open to the public the next day. 

On June 16 and 19 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., the gallery will only be open to frontline workers and their families. Admission will be free during those times.

"As the Vancouver Art Gallery reopens, our priority is the safety of all visitors and staff. We want to welcome you in a safe and comfortable environment," the art gallery says on its website about its reopening.

"Following government guidelines, new protocols are in place to ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable visit. We are closely monitoring the situation and will adapt as necessary."

Under these new protocols, visitors will be required to select specific entry times to manage crowding and capacity. While online ticket purchases are strongly recommended, some on-site tickets will be available. Entry times are set at 60-minute intervals.  

Capilano Suspension Bridge

A little later on the month, Capilano Suspension Bridge Park will reopen to the public. 

Starting June 19, the park will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Tickets can already be pre-purchased for specific time slots. For the time being, travel trade, donation and complimentary passes won't be accepted. 

Once guests arrive, they'll notice more hand sanitizing stations throughout the park and foot traffic will move in one direction only. Traffic on the suspension bridge will alternate regularly. 

FlyOver Canada

FlyOver Canada's announced its reopening day is June 18.

To promote physical distancing between groups, capacity will be reduced and floor markings will show two-metre distances in some areas. 

Enhanced cleaning will be in place and all spaces have undergone a deep cleaning before the reopening. The ride will be fully sanitized between guests. 

"We believe these remarkable places have the power to heal and inspire. We are grateful to live and work here. We invite guests to join us in experiencing the power of these iconic destinations," the FlyOver Canada website says.  

Science World, space centre, aquarium still closed

For now, other local museums and galleries are still closed. Last month, Science World's CEO told CTV News Vancouver that it was much easier for them to shut down at the start of the pandemic than it's been to reopen. 

"We're such a highly interactive organization. The kids come in and they run and jump and throw things," said CEO Janet Wood, adding that she thinks the science centre won't reopen before August. 

The Vancouver Aquarium and HR MacMillan Space Centre haven't announced their reopening plans.

When these facilities do reopen however, there will likely be capacity limits and extra cleaning and distancing protocols in place.