Safety Information/Mask Guidelines:

- In cooperation with the statewide mask mandate and with CDC recommendations, LASM respectfully requires that individuals ages 2 and up wear masks at all times while visiting the Museum.

- Disposable masks will be provided free-of-charge to those who arrive at the Museum without one.

- We understand that some patrons may not be comfortable with this policy, and in that case, we invite them to return in the future after the risk to public health declines.

- We appreciate your assistance as we do our very best to provide a safe environment for all of our visitors and our staff.

- If a visitor has a documented medical exemption due to a health condition that prevents them from wearing a mask, they will be allowed to enter the Museum upon presentation of a note from their physician. Virtual access is also available 24/7 at virtual-lasm.org, so please engage with us online as well.

- Based on recent research, gaiters and bandannas are discouraged in the museum and not permitted in the Irene W. Planetarium in line with the AMC movie theatre policies. Please have a mask on us if you plan to go into the Irene W. Pennington Planetarium!

- Irene W. Pennington Planetarium: With regard to neck gaiters, according to the CDC, evaluation is ongoing, but effectiveness is unknown at this time. In keeping with policies recommended for movie theaters, we are asking that neck gaiters and bandannas not be worn while visiting the Irene W. Planetarium due to the enclosed nature of this space. We are always happy to provide visitors with a disposable mask free-of-charge. Feel free to have a mask on us!

Steps LASM has taken to prevent the risk of infection: 

Continuously maintaining a clean environment, increasing the frequency that surfaces are cleaned both in spaces accessible to the public and in employee-only areas in addition to our nightly deep cleaning regimen 

Posted signage in every restroom and water fountain area with information about proper hand-washing as advised by the CDC and WHO 

In line with the CDC’s recommendations, LASM employees have been advised to: 

- Stay home if they have respiratory symptoms (coughing, sneezing, shortness of breath) and/or a temperature above 100.4 degrees F, and leave work if they develop these symptoms at LASM

- Shield coughs and sneezes with a tissue, elbow, or shoulder (not bare hands)

- Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol

- Stay home following international travel, only returning to work after 14 symptom-free days. After voluntary international travel, employees are required to provide documentation from a medical professional indicating that they are not infectious. 

Things you can do to help prevent the risk of infection:

- Wear a mask

- Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or with a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol

- Avoid touching eyes, mouth, face, or nose with unwashed hands

- Avoid close contact with people who appear sick

- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or the crook of your arm when sneezing or coughing (also known as the "vampire cough"), disposing of the tissue after use

- Stay home and away from others if you or your family members are feeling ill

Helpful hints:

Avoiding shaking hands can help reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19. An “elbow bump” or “footshake” can go a long way! For a video demonstrating these alternative greetings, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2-Yui6PdWI

Some songs that you can sing in your head while washing your hands to get up to 20 seconds are:

“Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”

“Happy Birthday” twice

“Africa” by Toto chorus

“Jolene” by Dolly Parton chorus

“Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield chorus

Resources: 

Handwashing info from CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/index.html

Handwashing video from CDC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d914EnpU4Fo

Up-to-Date Information about COVID-19 from WHO: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

Advice to public regarding COVID-19: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public