CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The Field Museum is preparing to safely reopen to the public this week, following the announcement of a loosening of COVID restrictions in Illinois and Chicago moving into Tier 2.
The museum will first reopen to members on Thursday, Jan. 21 and Friday, Jan. 22, General public admission begins Saturday, Jan. 23.
An added bonus: The Field Museum will offer free general admission to Illinois residents on Monday, Jan. 25 and Thursday, Jan. 28.
“We’re thrilled to welcome visitors back to the Field Museum so they can have fun and learn about the world around us while remaining safe,” says Ray DeThorne, the museum’s chief marketing officer. “People haven’t been able to get out and travel lately, but when you come to the museum, you can explore ancient Egypt, watch a traditional Chinese shadow puppet show, stand beneath the world’s largest dinosaur, and come face to face with the world’s best-preserved T. rex. These are the kinds of experiences you can’t get from home. And the museum is so big, visitors can safely explore while still social distancing.”
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The museum said it will maintain its safety precautions from the summer and fall. The museum will reopen at 25 percent capacity, and will install floor markers to ensure social distancing and designate one-way paths through the museum to guide visitor traffic.
All visitors and staff will be required to wear masks while inside the building. Masks will be available for purchase for visitors who don’t have their own. The museum also has 144 hand-sanitizing stations for visitors to use. Touch-screen interactives and high-touch areas, including the Crown Family PlayLab, will not be available for the time being, as well as exhibition galleries that are too small to support social distancing.
“Our first priority is the safety of our visitors and staff,” says DeThorne. “The Field is a scientific institution, so we’ve been closely following the guidelines set out by medical experts, and we’ll continue doing everything we can to make visiting the museum a safe, stress-free experience.”
After reopening, the museum will be closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, with plans to eventually reopen seven days a week. The museum’s hours will continue to be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“The museum’s reopening is a great chance to see Apsáaooke Women and Warriors, the Field’s first major exhibition curated by a Native scholar,” Jaap Hoogstraten, the museum’s director of exhibitions. “The exhibition opened the day before the museum’s initial closure in March, and we’re excited to welcome people back to learn about Apsáalooke culture, told by Indigenous voices.”