By Jessica Asprer
Ready to go to outer space? The National Planetarium reopened Thursday after over a year of closing its doors because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The National Museum of the Philippines announced in a Facebook post that the National Planetarium Exhibition Hall is allowing walk-ins, but only 20 persons for every 30-minute session will be accommodated.
The planetarium is open Tuesdays to Sundays, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (morning session) and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (afternoon session).
Only persons 15 years old and above will be admitted upon presentation of a valid ID. Fully vaccinated senior citizens will be let in upon presentation of their vaccination cards.
The standard safety protocols will be enforced: guests with temperature of 37.5-degree Celsius and above or those with flu-like symptoms will not be allowed to enter; visitors are required to fill out the health declaration form before entering; face masks and shields must be worn at all times; and a physical distance of at least two meters between persons who do not belong to the same household must be observed.
Planetarium shows are not available yet.
The reopening follows the easing on restrictions in Metro Manila, allowing local museums and cultural centers to reopen at limited capacity provided that health protocols are followed.
The National Museum of Fine Arts (formerly National Art Gallery), the National Museum of Natural History (formerly Museum of Natural History), and the National Museum of Anthropology (formerly Museum of the Filipino People) reopened on June 19.