Elvis Presley's mansion, Graceland, in Memphis, Tennessee will be back in business starting May 21. The announcement was posted on the official website on Sunday, May 17. The home of Elvis Presley that was turned into a museum was among those that were closed down in March due to the coronavirus pandemic to avoid further spread of the virus. The reopening of Graceland will be following strict protocols as it is "committed to the health and safety of our guests and associates." Graceland will be operating at a lower Mansion tour capacity of 25 percent into place the mandatory social distancing. Food restaurants, both indoor and outdoor, will be serving only 50 percent of its usual capacity. Shuttle services will also be reduced to 50 percent to allow for proper distancing. Furthermore, the management of the former private retreat of the King of Rock 'n Roll has strongly encouraged would-be visitors to pre-book their tour tickets online. The scheme will allow them to tour the grounds on their preferred time. With the new set-up, visitors are expected to spend more time in the Graceland and have a more "personal tour space spread out from other guests." As written on a statement: "Social distancing at its best!" As it claims, the museum has been "working diligently to configure all their operations" and has set guidelines that must be strictly followed throughout the visit. All Graceland employees and workers are required to wear face masks, and tour visitors are highly encouraged to do the same. Body temperature for everyone will also be checked upon entry to the grounds. The property will also implement enhanced sanitation that will include cleaning "touchpoints" throughout the day. Hand sanitation areas are stationed across the massive space. Social distancing signages have been put up to remind visitors and protocols are to be followed in queue lines for proper physical positions. Graceland promises that it will "continue to closely monitor federal, state, and local guidelines to TCB" for a worthwhile trip despite the new measures. The King, Elvis Presley, acquired the home and grounds when he was just 22 years of age in the spring of 1957 at $100,000 only. Graceland's name came from Grace, one of his relatives from the S.E. Toof family, the former owners of the 500-acre farm. In 1939, the niece of Grace, Ruth Brown Moore and husband Dr. Thomas Moore built the mansion and became popular in Memphis. Although Presley had other homes in Los Angeles and spent most of his time doing his tour concerts, Graceland remained his home base. It was his private retreat place. Graceland was opened to the public on June 7, 1982, and it has hosted more than 20 million visitors from all over. It has boosted the tourism industry of Memphis, and before the shutdown due to the COVID-19 virus, it welcomes 500,000 guests annually. Apart from the mansion, it also houses the Elvis Presley's Memphis, over 200,000-square-feet sized state-of-the-art entertainment and exhibit complex.
The facade of Elvis Presley's Graceland Mansion in Memphis, Tennessee will reopen on May 21Graceland's brief history
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