Some attractions won’t go to full capacity yet

NORWALK — While Friday marks the first day of loosened COVID restrictions in Connecticut, some of Norwalk’s top attractions won’t be going back to full just yet despite their initial enthusiasm over the shift.

The Maritime Aquarium is increasing its capacity Friday, but not lifting all limits despite Gov. Ned Lamont giving them the OK to do so. Starting March 19, capacity limits no longer apply to restaurants, retail stores, personal services facilities, houses of worship, museums, aquariums, zoos, office buildings and other similar businesses.

Jason Patlis, the aquarium’s president and CEO, said following Lamont’s announcement they would “follow the new capacity allowances announced by the governor, but will continue the practices and protocols” they’d enforced since originally reopening.

On Thursday, he said the aquarium will be upping the number of tickets available every half hour from 175 to 225, but not going back to full capacity.

This shift will bring the aquarium’s maximum daily capacity to 3,150 people potentially coming through over the course of the day, which Patlis said is still far below 100 percent. The new 4D theater will be at 30 percent capacity to allow for social distancing and guests are still encouraged to book tickets in advance.

While state guidelines may allow for more people, Patlis, along with other local attractions, said safety guidelines to maintain consumer confidence are more important.

“The thinking is public safety,” Patlis said. “We have done very well in managing the crowds through the pandemic . ... At the same time, we’ve been (thoughtful) of what we want to offer by way of a comfortable and — as much as we can provide — a safe environment for our guests. We’ve always been below the 50 percent threshold allowed and now we’re still staying below in interest of public safety and the comfort of our guests.”

Stepping Stones Museum for Children will also be allowed to reopen to full capacity as of Friday. But the museum’s doors will remain closed as they have been since COVID hit last March.

Robert Townes, director of public affairs for Stepping Stones, said while the governor’s guidelines allow the museum to reopen, the museum is figuring out what precautions they need to take given the up-close and tactile experiences they offer. The fact that hosthe facility hosts the ELLI preschool program also factors into reopening plans.

“We are looking for ways to be able to reopen safely,” Townes said on Thursday. “While things seem to be able to move in the right direction as far as COVID is concerned and the governor’s directions are helpful, they don’t address all the challenges of a children’s museum at a time like this. We’re making sure we can provide an experience that’s as safe as possible.”

The museum is instead working toward hosting small, private events in the spring months and are staying connected to patrons through virtual content in the meantime. An exact reopening date is not set.