INDIANAPOLIS — The Children's Museum of Indianapolis announced on Tuesday it plans to reopen to the public July 11 with limited capacity and safety measures in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
According to a news release from the museum, every visitor, including members and donors, will need to reserve an advance ticket online. The museum previously opened to donors on June 24 and members on Monday.
“We are firmly committed to doing everything within our power to make it safe for children, families, our staff and volunteers to return to the world’s largest children’s museum,” Children's Museum president and CEO Jeffrey H. Patchen said.
The museum will implement multiple health and safety protocols when it reopens to the public:
- Face masks will be required to enter the museum by all guests and staff. The only exceptions will be made for children younger than 2 years old and people with medical concerns.
- The number of visitors entering the museum and Riley Children’s Health Sports Legends Experience will be limited to 3,000 people.
- New signage will be in place throughout the museum to help people stay six feet apart from other groups.
- The museum increased the frequency of cleaning high-touch areas such as payment stations, touch screens, bathrooms, door and sink handles, water fountains and railings.
- The museum will conduct a full deep clean every evening and each exhibit area will receive cleanings throughout the day.
- The ventilation system has been cleaned and the museum increased the circulation of indoor air into the museum by opening windows and doors, using fans and other methods.
- Hand sanitizer will be located at museum's entrance and exit and beside each elevator. The museum installed more than 100 hand sanitizing and wet wipe stations throughout its campus.
- Guests, staff and volunteers should stay home if they do not feel well. Employees and volunteers will have their temperatures taken each day.
Some areas of the museum will remain temporarily closed, such as the Playscape gallery, Corteva Agriscience ScienceWorks, the Carousel Wishes and Dreams exhibit, the Children's Museum Guild's Fantasy Tree House of Sports and the food court.
The museum is projected to lose $4-7 million in revenue in 2020 after it was closed more than three months due to the pandemic.
