The New Bedford Whaling Museum would have seen over 5,000 visitors last month had it not been for the pandemic.
But the museum isn’t rushing to reopen despite the new state directives.
Amanda McMullen, president and CEO of the museum, says the museum will first do a soft-launch reopening for members-only beginning Thursday. There were pathways put in place to increase social distancing, air conditioners have been upgraded, and, once open, capacity will be limited.
“We were never intending to open up for Monday on the first day [of phase 3 reopening],” McMullen said. “I want to make sure we get it right and that the staff feels safe, volunteers feel safe, and the visitors feel safe. And that allows us to take the time to be thoughtful in terms of how we’re doing it.”
The New Bedford Whaling Museum receives about $1.2 million a year in revenue, McMullen said, with 75-percent of it being made between the months of April and October.
“You can imagine the impact in terms of not having that revenue,” McMullen said, noting the museum cut about $726,000 from its budget this year due to the pandemic.
Governor Baker’s Phase 3 reopening also allows gyms and movie theaters to open with restrictions. Visitation restrictions at long term care facilities will also be loosened.
