Washington Museums reopening safely

OLYMPIA—Gov. Jay Inslee today announced and updated guidance as part of Washington’s Safe Start phased reopening plan.

“We have worked with stakeholders for weeks and sometimes months to arrive at these guidelines. We continue to balance the need for activities that contribute to physical, mental, and emotional well-being with the steps needed to control the virus. Our ability to reopen depends on every Washingtonian doing their part to ensure fewer, shorter, and safer interactions,” said Inslee.

These guidelines allow museums in Phase 2 counties to operate as long as they meet certain requirements. Museums in Phase 3 counties would be required to lower occupancy.

Museums are permitted to operate, provided all requirements are met. The museum must adopt a written procedure for operation that is at least as strict as the state’s safety and health requirements.

“This has come not a moment too soon. Many of our museums were on the brink of disaster,” said Karen Hanan, Executive Director of the Washington State Arts Commission (ArtsWA). “Because of social distancing requirements, the arts and culture sector has been severely impacted by the pandemic. Many in our sector will be among the last to fully reopen. With a safety plan in place, museums and galleries will be ready to open their doors.”

In April, Hanan put out a call to museum leaders across the state who represented the wide diversity of the sector. The mission was to devise safe reopening plans for museums applicable to Phases 2 and 3. The sector responded immediately, and the resulting working group began writing a safety plan that all museums and galleries could use.

Museums in all phases are working to ensure strict adherence to all measures established by the Governor’s guidance, the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) Coronavirus (COVID-19) Prevention: General Requirements and Prevention Ideas for Workplaces, and the Washington State Department of Health Workplace and Employer Resources & Recommendations (DOH). Stay up to date on industry guidance from the American Alliance of Museums:

American Alliance of Museums Preparing to Reopen

American Alliance of Museums Considerations for Museum Reopening Phase 2

• All patrons over the age of 2 must wear cloth face coverings in accordance with the order from Washington State Secretary of Health.

• Museums may operate exhibits and galleries; total capacity is limited to 25 percent. Individual rooms shall be monitored periodically to ensure they are not above 25 percent capacity.

• All exhibits that allow touching surfaces must be signed with “No Touching” or employ touchless alternatives such as touchless tools or touch keys that can be cleaned, disinfected, and reused.

• Utilize online or phone reservation systems with timed ticketing, if possible, to allow prepay and to limit interactions. In the absence of time ticketing, use staggered entry to control capacity limits.

• Galleries must allow for a one-way traffic-flow of patrons through the facility.

• Regularly sanitize countertops, doorknobs, other common surfaces, cash registers, kiosks, and other frequently touched surfaces, including employee used equipment.

• Install signage to discourage group congregation, or to limit numbers of people in a certain area.

• Provide hand sanitizer to patrons.

• Ensure restrooms are frequently cleaned and appropriately sanitized throughout the day.

• Food and beverage services must conform to all Phase 2 dine-in food service guidelines. Gift shops must conform to all Phase 2 retail guidelines.

• No events allowed.

Phase 3

• Same guidelines as Phase 2 but capacity now allowed at 50%.

• Food and beverage services must conform to all Phase 3 dine-in food service guidelines. Gift shops must conform to all Phase 3 retail guidelines.

• Events allowed limited to the current participant limit for social gatherings in Phase 3.

In addition to the agreed-upon statewide reopening plan, individual museums, art galleries, and interpretive centers are adopting their plans specific to their organizations.

“Our communities need their museums to ground and connect them, to provide meaningful education opportunities, access and are for our children, and in times of social upheaval to help bring people together to create shared understandings and common community goals,” said Keni Sturgeon, Executive Director of the Wenatchee Valley Museum & Cultural Center. “It is a positive step forward that our state’s museums can now safely reopen and re-engage with communities who so need that right now.”

Gov. Inslee’s original press release can be found here: https://www.governor.wa.gov/news-media/inslee-issues-guidance-museums-bowling-and-agritourism-updates-guidance-outdoor

The full list of guidelines can be found here: https://www.governor.wa.gov/sites/default/files/COVID19%20Phase%202%20and%203%20Museums%20Guidance.pdf?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery