National guidelines and checklist released to support museums with reopening.

Since lockdown commenced sector bodies have been working together on how best to support museums in a changed environment.  Including the challenging task of reopening safely for our workforce and audiences.

With 4th July 2020 the earliest possible date that museums can reopen, there are lots of questions about how as a sector we can achieve this.

To support the sector, South West Museum Development as part of the Museum Development Network, has worked with the Association of Independent Museums to produce A Checklist for Reopening Your Museum and a Checklist infographic.

Designed to accompany the Coronavirus Covid-19 NMDC Good Practice Guidelines on Reopening Museums, the Checklist aims to help museums to take an informed approach to re-opening.

The Checklist covers nine Principles to inform decision making within your museum. It is a methodology to safely re-open rather than a document that sets out how to operate; each museums circumstance will be unique, and your plans to re-open will need to reflect this.

The Nine Principles

  1. Government has clearly announced that Museums and Galleries can reopen
  2. Security of workers, the public and sites can be sufficiently maintained in light of any operational challenges for CV-19
  3. Workforce safety and wellbeing can be supported
  4. Public safety can be assured
  5. Buildings and processes can be adapted to support reopening
  6. The business case supports reopening
  7. Museums are confident that visitors will return, and they can provide services in keeping with their public purpose
  8. Transport systems can support museum visitors, workers’ travel and supply chains while noting adaptations to normal practice may be required based on available evidence at the time of opening
  9. Local context including location, museum offer, constitution and business model permit.

As a Sector Support Organisation we recognise that no museum’s journey will be the same, however we hope that the Principles will serve as a useful roadmap as museums look to re-opening their doors once again.

Other Support

Visit Britain Kite Mark

To support visitor attractions working towards re-opening, Visit Britain have developed the ‘We’re Good to Go’ Industry Standard Kite Mark to reassure visitors and customers that sites are adhering to Government health guidance.

Government Guidance: Heritage Attractions

The Government has released Guidance for Heritage Locations – specifically for those operating, working and volunteering in heritage attractions (including open air site/museums). This guidance was developed with input from Historic England, National Trust and other organisations.

Get in touch

If you have questions about this guidance please contact your local Museum Development Officer in the first instance.

For more information and support we have a dedicated Coronavirus guidance page containing the latest information including our funding, training and resources to support your museum during these challenging times.