Dear Museum Community,
I am pleased to announce the Cleveland Museum of Natural History’s public reopening on July 1, 2020. In order to ensure the safety of all visitors and employees, the Museum has diligently followed guidelines from the CDC and other governing bodies, surveyed our audience, and consulted with sister organizations in the community.
In an effort to help flatten the curve, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History took the proactive step of closing to the public beginning March 16, 2020. In the following weeks and months, we adopted an All-In strategy, in which all staff worked together to perform day-to-day duties and engage online audiences despite the Museum’s public closure. During this time, the majority of the Museum’s staff worked from home while essential employees continued to work on campus. Protection services staff safeguarded the building and wildlife experts cared for the Museum’s animal ambassadors. I am so proud of our team; each and every member of our staff rose to the occasion to ensure we could continue pursuing our important mission during these unprecedented times.
With restrictions lifted, the Museum is now transitioning to an All Hands On Deck strategy, in which employees are once again working together. In addition to all of the above, we are now tasked with ensuring that the Museum is safe and ready for the public’s return.
Beginning July 1, visitors will again have the opportunity to experience the Museum they know and love, with a few modifications to ensure the utmost safety of the community. A new single-direction flow through the Museum, which also includes the Ralph Perkins II Wildlife Center & Woods Garden—Presented by KeyBank, will help reduce crowding. The flow takes visitors on a journey to see all their favorite Museum icons, including Balto, Dunk, and Lucy, though hands-on exhibits have been modified to eliminate contact points. The Nathan and Fannye Shafran Planetarium and the lower level of the Museum, including Smead Discovery Center, will remain closed to the public for the time being.
We have adjusted the Museum’s hours of operation to allow ample time to sanitize the facilities outside of public hours. We have also implemented online-only ticketing, and will manage guest capacity through timed-visit reservation slots to further minimize contact among individuals. All guests will be asked to submit to temperature checks via thermal scanners. Visitors ages 2 and up will be required to wear masks and to adhere to social distancing guidelines, including maintaining a 6-foot distance from others. We encourage visitors to bring their own masks, but we will have masks available if needed.
Evidence shows that all of these precautions can help to slow the spread of COVID-19, but achieving them requires the participation of our entire community. We encourage our visitors to trust in science and do their part to make a difference as we start to establish the “new normal.”
The Museum is also implementing several back-of-house precautions. Employees will be required to wear personal protective equipment, including masks, at all times when on Museum property, and will have temperatures checked prior to entry each day. Employees will also be asked to eliminate in-person meetings whenever possible, and to maintain a 6-foot distance during essential encounters. Frontline staff will have additional measures of protection, including new plexiglass installations at the welcome desk.
We know these have been trying times for many. We hope our community takes solace in the knowledge that discovery is just around the Circle—University Circle, that is.
Sonia Winner
President & CEO
