AIM members keep safety measures in place

As COVID-19 restrictions across England are lifted, we’ve taken a look at the approaches that just some AIM members are taking.

According to statements on their social media and websites, museums of all sizes are choosing to keep at least some restrictions in place, asking visitors to pre-book, to wear face masks if they can and maintaining socially distanced routes through the museum.

Here are just a few examples of the safety measures in place at AIM member museums in England:

• The Cromwell Museum (pictured) – are asking visitors to continue to wear a face mask. It’s a small museum so face masks will help to protect other visitors, staff and volunteers.
• National Videogame Museum – based on positive feedback from visitors on how safe they’ve felt, the museum has decided to keep all restrictions in place. Visitors still need to book in advance, wear a mask and the rearranged galleries that allow for social distancing remain in place.
• Beamish Museum – all visitors still need to pre-book an entry timeslot. Maintaining reduced visitor numbers is allowing the museum to safely manage the number of people at the museum and allow everyone enough space to enjoy their visit. Visitors are also asked to wear a face mask (unless exempt) in indoor spaces and on the museum’s transport.
• The Brunel Museum – To help maintain social distancing, the museum is continuing to limit numbers of tickets to help maintain social distancing in the Engine House. They are encouraging visitors to prebook their tickets to the Museum. Staff and volunteers will continue to wear face masks unless exempt and they’re encouraging visitors to do the same.
• National Coal Mining Museum – booking recommended for underground tours but visitors could book on arrival depending on demand and capacity. Visitors are also asked to continue to wear a face mask indoors.
• National Justice Museum – pre-booking continues although the museum will welcome walk ups. The one way system remains in place and visitors are asked to wear a mask, if they can.
• Wordsworth Grasmere – to ensure everyone feels safe and comfortable, the museum has decided to maintain social distancing and other COVID-19 mitigation measures, including reduced capacity and face mask use (unless exempt).
• Shakespeare Birthplace Trust – have listened to feedback from visitors, staff and volunteers who told then they would feel more comfortable if some safety measures remain. Parts of these historic sites have small enclosed areas and this makes retaining some safety measures inside buildings even more important.
• Parham Air Field – the attraction reports that their visitors almost expect them to be carrying on as before 19 July and this is being well received. The outside “COVID gazebo table” is in place to welcome visitors, staffed by one volunteer, with another doing the more usual meet and greet and this approach has worked really well for the team.

In a statement on 8 July, AIM Director Lisa Ollerhead urged members to listen to staff, volunteers and visitors in deciding what measures to remove or maintain from 19 July, and it would appear that’s just what members have done. You can read the full statement here>>

Click here to see AIM’s reopening guidance>>

What approach are you taking in your museum? And how have things gone since the rules changed on 19 July? We’d love to hear from you, so please do get in touch with us via info@aim-museums.co.uk.