The Royal BC Museum in Victoria has announced plans to reopen to the public on June 19.
The museum temporarily shut its doors to visitors on March 17 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and bans on indoor gatherings.
However as the province is poised to enter Phase 3 of the official reopening plan in June, more and more businesses and organizations have started to reopen with strict new guidelines in place.
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“Although we are well placed to introduce physical distancing measures, similar to those used by grocery stores, we are taking a cautious approach to re-opening as a number of operational issues need to be addressed first,” said Professor Jack Lohman, CEO of the Royal BC Museum in a statement released Tuesday.
“These include physical changes, including better visitor paths through the galleries, the rearrangement of work spaces for staff, timed entry procedures and the availability of PPE and hygiene supplies for staff, volunteers and visitors.”
Lohman adds that these precautions are also meant to safeguard their volunteers, a large proportion of whom are retirees more likely to be at higher risk of contracting the virus due to their age.
Changes for visitors include the number of people allowed in the galleries, timed tickets, acrylic barriers at all points where visitors and staff interact and a greater number of hand-washing stations throughout the museum.
Re-opening of the facility will occur in phases, with the second floor galleries — including the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibit — will be open on June 19.
However the third floor galleries will stay closed to visitors for now, and reopen in phases over the summer.
Timed tickets will be available online, from the museum’s website, starting Monday, June 15.
