COVID-19 Team Update: Reopening Milestones and “Staff as Visitors”
As COVID-19 vaccination rates increase and case numbers continue to drop, communities are slowly and safely regaining their footing. At the Smithsonian, we are doing the same.
Congratulations to the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum on their recent successful reopening. Last week, they became the first Smithsonian museum to reopen in New York, welcoming the public back for the first time since March 2020. Similarly, good luck to our colleagues at the National Museum of Natural History on the National Mall, as they reopen tomorrow, June 18.
With these and our previous openings, the public will not be the only ones able to explore our exhibits and experience our collections. We are pleased to announce that beginning immediately, Smithsonian employees may once again visit our publicly open facilities without needing to book timed entry passes. Badge-holders may escort up to five friends and/or family members with their badge when visiting during open public hours. We recommend you check with the museum you plan to visit before arriving to learn of any unit-specific requirements. Please also follow any additional entrance procedures at the public entry points required by the museum you are visiting. This does not apply to parking; if you need parking at the Zoo or Udvar-Hazy, please consult their visitor sites prior to arrival.
In the coming weeks, so long as we continue to see improving case numbers, further restrictions will be loosened. Starting June 28th, fully vaccinated visitors will not be required to wear face coverings indoors at Smithsonian museums. Staff will still be required to wear face coverings, regardless of vaccination status, indoors. Currently, vaccinated visitors and staff may go without face coverings outdoors. We will monitor the health metrics in the weeks following the upcoming change to the visitor face covering policy. Should the health metrics continue to hold steady or improve, updates may be made to the staff policy.
There is much to be happy about, but remember, we must still be cautious. It is imperative you continue to follow all Smithsonian safety guidelines including wearing face coverings indoors or anyplace you cannot keep a safe space between yourself and others, practicing social distancing, and most importantly, staying home if you are ill, even mildly so. Whether you are visiting or reporting to the Smithsonian for work, please take a moment to complete the daily health screening questions.
If you have not yet been vaccinated, we encourage you to do so. Anyone age twelve and over is now eligible, and vaccine availability has greatly improved. Please consult this link to learn more about vaccination where you live. Once you have become vaccinated, we encourage you to voluntarily report your vaccination to Occupational Health Services (OHS). This information will help OHS continue to understand the needs of our community. As always, your medical information will be kept private.
Thank you for your perseverance over these many months. Your dedication to the Smithsonian and adherence to our safety guidelines has brought us to where we are now. Congratulations to the museums that have already opened. We look forward to opening additional facilities in the weeks and months to come.
Stay safe and be well,
COVID-19 Response Team
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Posted: 17 June 2021
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