Visit
COVID-19
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