Planning To Reopen - Phase 3, Museums, Cultural and Historical Facilities and Guided Tours

7/17/2020 (Permalink)

Phase 3 of Governor Charlie Baker's administration's plan to reopen the state of Massachusetts for business is in effect. Strict rules are in place for the third phase of a four-phase economic reopening in Massachusetts. The following outlines the workplace safety standards pertaining to social distancing, guided tour group size and hygiene protocol for Museums, Cultural and Historical Facilities and Guided Tours.

As always, work with your local health officials to determine a set of strategies appropriate for your community’s situation.

These standards are minimum requirements only and are not exclusive or exhaustive. The public health data for disease prevention upon which these guidelines are based can and does change frequently, it is the responsibility of each Theater and Performance Venues  Business owner to stay abreast of any updates to these requirements.

(See our "Planning to Reopen series of blogs for more information regarding CDC, EPA, FDA, Mass EEA and OSHA safety requirements). To review the administration's reopening guidance from the state click here. To view Governor Baker's full report click here).

Social Distancing

It is the responsibility of approved museums, cultural and historical facilities and guided tours business owners and staff to monitor customer entries and exits and limit occupancy at all times to the greater of the following:

1. Each museum must monitor visitor entries and exits and limit occupancy for each building open to the public at all times to:
   1. 40% of the museum’s maximum permitted occupancy as documented in its occupancy permit on record with the municipal building department or other municipal record holder
   2. Facilities for which no permitted occupancy limitation is on record may allow 8 persons (including staff) per 1,000 square feet of accessible indoor or outdoor space
   3. In any case, no enclosed space within the facility may exceed occupancy of 8 persons per 1,000 square feet
   4. All occupant counts and calculations shall include customers, staff, and other workers
2. Post clearly visible signage regarding the need to maintain 6 feet of social distancing and not to enter a room until that distancing can be maintained
3. Museums are encouraged to offer exclusive hours or other accommodations for those in high risk populations as defined by the CDC
4. Ensure separation of 6 feet or more between individuals where possible:
   1. Close or reconfigure worker common spaces and high density areas where workers are likely to congregate (e.g., break rooms, eating areas) to allow social distancing
   2. Physical partitions must separate workstations that cannot be spaced out (partitions must be at least 6 feet in height)
   3. Install physical barriers for ticket counters, checkout stations, etc. where possible
   4. Install visual social distancing markers to encourage visitors to remain 6 feet apart (e.g., lines outside of the museum if applicable, lines to make payments, lines to use the restroom)
   5. Mark exhibit rooms and hallways to indicate 6 feet separation 
5. Establish directional pathways to manage visitor flow for foot traffic, if possible, to minimize contact (e.g., one-way entrance and exit to rooms / exhibits, one-way pathways).
6. Post clearly visible signage regarding these policies
7. Stagger lunch and break times, regulating max number of people in one place and ensuring at least 6 feet of physical distancing
8. Require face coverings for all workers and visitors, except where unsafe due to medical condition or disability
9. Encourage online ticket sales and contactless payment methods if possible
10. Consider using timed entry tickets / reservations and imposing time limits for visits to ensure compliance with occupancy limits
11. Encourage the use of electronic versions of guide materials (such as brochures and gallery guides) where possible.
12. All physical guide materials (such as paper brochures, gallery guides, and audio guides) must be discarded or sanitized between use.
13. Any self-serve racks must be removed, and all materials must be handed out individually

Group Size Limitations for Guided Tours 

It is the responsibility of approved museums, cultural and historical facilities and guided tours business owners and staff to monitor guided group tour sizes to the greater of the following:

1. Each tour operator using a bus or other vehicle (such as a trolley, harbor cruise vessel, or duck boat) must limit occupancy at all times to 50% of the tour, vehicle or vessel’s maximum permitted occupancy as documented in its occupancy permit on record with the relevant municipal record holder
2. Occupancy limitations for boat tours using vessels with open deck space that can be used to accommodate passengers shall be determined in accordance with the formula used to set charter boat occupancy limits, outlined in the Workplace Safety and Reopening Standards for For-Hire and Charter Vessels
3. Tours of spaces for which no permitted occupancy limitation is on record must limit occupancy based on the Indoor and Outdoor Event guidance on the Reopening Website
4. All occupant counts and calculations shall include customers and workers
5. Groups of passengers should be separated on the vehicle by empty seats. If that is not possible, vehicles should stagger open rows
6. Tour operators must limit group size in walking tours to groups of no more than 10 persons (including guides).
7. Recommend limiting tour parties to members of the same household only 
8. Guides and guests should maintain 6 feet of distance and wear face coverings

Hygiene Protocols

It is the responsibility of approved museums, cultural and historical facilities and guided tours business owners and staff to monitor hygiene of guests and staff to the greater of the following:

1. Ensure access to handwashing facilities on site, including soap and running water, wherever possible and encourage frequent handwashing; alcohol-based hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol may be used as an alternative
2. Supply workers at workplace location with adequate cleaning products (e.g., sanitizer, disinfecting wipes)
3. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol should be made available at entrances, exits, and throughout floor areas for both workers and visitors
4. Avoid sharing equipment and supplies between workers
5. Disinfect shared equipment before use by another employee
6. Post visible signage throughout the site to remind workers of hygiene and safety protocols

Additional Link;

Museums and Cultural Facilities and Guided Tours MA COVID-19 Checklist

While the administration continues to work with communities to implement best practices and protocols we will continue to share with you guidance from the CDC, FDA, OSHA, Mass EEA and the Governor's office to follow as we prepare for reopening. Also, we at SERVPRO of Newton/Wellesley know that not every business has access to the resources necessary to meet these strict guidelines. For those businesses, we are here to help!

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned

The Disaster Remediation Teams at SERVPRO of Newton/Wellesley are specialists in cleaning services and we adhere to the highest cleaning and sanitation standards. We are prepared to clean and disinfect your home or business, according to protocols set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We have years of experience in dealing with biological contaminants, and we will go beyond the scope of work of "normal daily cleaning". Call SERVPRO of Newton/Wellesley today for a free consultation - (617) 332-9000.

All of us here at SERVPRO of Newton/Wellesley want you and your loved ones to stay safe and know that we will make it through this together! Rest assured, we will continue to do our best to keep you up-to-date and informed! Rest assured, we will continue to do our best to keep you up-to-date and informed!