Current COVID-19 Policies and Procedures

Current COVID-19 Policies and Procedures for Children’s Museum of Illinois (CMofIL)

The health and safety of our community, guests, staff, and volunteers is our top priority. Our goal is to offer a space where our guests and staff are safe to play, learn, and work.

Our policies and procedures are based on best practices from research and collaboration with the Association of Children’s Museums (ACM), Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC), and the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), as well as Restore Illinois and IDPH guidelines.

All policies and procedures are subject to change as Restore Illinois and IDPH guidelines change.

Employee and Volunteer Procedures
1. Sick Policies
  1. May not present for a shift with a fever of 100.4 or higher
    1. Must be fever free for 72 hours without fever-reducing medication before presenting for a scheduled shift
  2. Must complete symptom questionnaire before reporting for shift and answer “no” to all questions
    1. Do you have a fever of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher?
    2. Do you have a cough, sore, throat, or muscle aches?
    3. Have you been experiencing new or unusual headaches, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, chills, loss of taste, or loss of smell?
    4. Do you have any gastrointestinal concerns (e.g., abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea)?
    5. Have you tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 14 days?
    6. Has anyone in your household displayed any symptoms (as listed above) of COVID-19?
  3. Positive Cases
    1. If an employee tests positive, he or she needs to report to the VP of Operations or CEO that they have tested positive
      1. The VP of Operations will contact other employees that have worked with the positive case in the past 14 days. Name and symptoms will not be revealed.
    2. If you have come in close contact with someone who tested positive:
      1. If you are un-vaccinated OR have received a vaccine in the past 6 months and have not received a booster: Stay home for 5 days, and wear a mask around people for 5 days. They suggest testing on day 5.
      2. If you have been fully vaccinated less than 5 months ago OR vaccinated and boosted: Wear a mask for 10 day around people. They suggest testing on day 5.
    3. If you test positive:
      1. Regardless of vaccination status: Isolate for 5 days. If you have no symptoms or your symptoms are significantly better, you can leave isolation but must wear a mask around people.
Interactions with Guests/Coworkers
1. Employees required to wear appropriate PPE
  1. Masks are to be worn over the nose and mouth at all times
2. Employees to keep a 6 ft distance from guests and coworkers whenever possible
Cleaning Procedures
1. Exhibits:
  1. Pin Pal and Talk Tubes to remain closed indefinitely per CDC guidance and research
  2. Outdoor Exhibits
    1. All outdoor exhibits will be cleaned frequently
    2. Children must have an adult with them while playing outside
2. Facilities and Building
  1. Air filters must be turned on at beginning of day
  2. Bathrooms will be cleaned frequently
  3. Increased signage in bathrooms for handwashing
  4. Increased signage to bring awareness to multiple hand sanitizer stations throughout the facility, policies, and cleaning procedures
  5. All frequently touched surfaces will be cleaned throughout the day and during each timed play period:
    1. Tables, doorknobs, light switches, buttons, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets and sinks, touch screens, vending machines, etc.
  6. Entire facility will be sprayed with Clorox360 machine at the end of each night.
Guest Procedures
1. Basic Policies
  1. Guests 2 and over are strongly encouraged to wear a mask properly at all times.
    1. All masks should be worn over the nose and mouth.
    2. Masks are available if needed
  2. All guests should review posted questions about their general health. Those who answer “yes” will not be allowed to visit that day
    1. Do you have a fever of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher?
    2. Do you have a cough, sore, throat, or muscle aches?
    3. Have you been experiencing new or unusual headaches, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, chills, loss of taste, or loss of smell?
    4. Do you have any gastrointestinal concerns (e.g., abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea)?
    5. Have you tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 14 days?
    6. Has anyone in your household displayed any symptoms (as listed above) of COVID-19?
  3. All guests will be made aware of social distancing markers, hand sanitizer stations, and cleaning procedures.
  4. Masks do not need to be worn while sitting at a table in the Mess Hall.
2. Programs
  1. Same guidelines and procedures as other museum guests
  2. Limited number of children per program based on guidelines
  3. Limit sharing and institute social distance requirements
    1. All children have materials that are not shared- scissors, glue, other materials
    2. No contact games or activities
    3. Children sit 6 feet from one another
    4. Frequent hand washing and cleaning of tables and chairs

*Updated 2/22/2022