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, due to the enclosed nature of the space. Please have a mask on us if you plan to go into the Irene W. Pennington Planetarium!

- Due to COVID-19 related government mandates, our hands-on galleries Discovery Depot and Science Station are currently closed. Visit virtual-lasm.org to engage in hands-on activities at home!

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