Atlanta’s Fernbank announces plans for ‘cautiously reopening’

Fernbank, which has been closed since mid-March, reopened to members on June 1

Things to know about Atlanta's Fernbank Museum

Atlanta’s Fernbank Museum, which has been closed to the public since mid-March due to the coronavirus outbreak, announced its plans Friday for “cautiously reopening.”

In the announcement, the museum said it will reopen to members on Monday, June 1 and to the general public on Thursday, June 4.

Fernbank said the reopening will come with “a number of new health and safety procedures.”

“Our team has diligently implemented new protocols to ensure the health and safety of our guests and staff, and it’s a responsibility that we do not take lightly,” Jennifer Grant Warner, Fernbank’s President and CEO said in a statement.

Warner also encouraged people to “continue to engage their curiosity through our free Museum at Home online content, featuring experiments, animal encounters, edible science and more.”

Fernbank said it will continue to offer it's online programming for free "in an effort to continue offering guided programs during physical distancing."

It's exhibit "Our Senses: An Immersive Experience," which was set to close in May, has been extended through Aug. 9.

The new safety measures include: 

  • Online ticket purchases and timed tickets with a contactless check-in. There will be a limit on capacity to help maintain distance between guests
  • No walk-up tickets will be sold
  • Regularly disinfecting hard services with deep cleanings taking place throughout the day and before and after regular hours
  • One-way paths will be used "where appropriate"
  • Fernbank has installed 19 new hand sanitation stations throughout its campus
  • Staff members will have daily health checks and required to wear masks
  • Visitors older than 2 years old should wear masks

Earlier this month, Fernbank announced its summer camps will be held virtually this year.