Coronavirus in Oklahoma: Museum of Osteology in OKC announces reopening

The Museum of Osteology has announced plans to reopen on June 1, following the guidelines of national, state, and local authorities.

As previously reported, the 7,000-square-foot Oklahoma City museum, which features more than 800 animal skeletons, announced in mid-March that it was temporarily closing due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

"We will carefully monitor the efficacy of these guidelines and make further adjustments as needed. When we reopen, there will be changes inside the museum to ensure the safety of our staff and your family," according to a statement on the museum's website. 

Here are some of the health and safety protocols visitors can expect at the museum:

Physical Distancing Practices

- Museum general admission will be limited to 30% capacity.

- Separate entrances and exits will be clearly marked for each purpose, and staff will be on hand to facilitate and monitor the process.

- The museum recommends that visitors buy tickets online and in advance for a “low touch” entry. However, the admissions desk will also be open to assist with processing tickets. Visitors are asked to send one member of their party through the line and observe social distancing; markings on the floor will indicate proper spacing.

- The museum will be offering curbside pick-up from the Museum Store.

- The museum will be instituting capacity limits on the number of guests at one time in the gift store, restrooms, and lift.

- The museum will be designating a one-way flow of exhibit foot traffic using directional arrows and signs on the first and second level of the museum.

- Floor markings will indicate 6-foot spacing at the admissions desk and museum store checkout.

- Limiting access will be offered to the Explorer’s Corner, and the Owl Pellet Dissection Activity Station will be converted to take-home kits only.

Personal Protection

- The museum will require face masks for all staff, spacing workstations to allow for social distancing and allowing support staff to continue work from home.

- The museum has installed acrylic partitions at the admissions and gift shop check out desk to serve as an additional barrier between employees and visitors.

Sanitation and Cleaning Procedures

- The museum is instituting heightened cleaning protocols, including frequent environmental cleaning and disinfection of “high-touch” door handles, countertops, railings, the lift and restrooms.

- Staffers are implementing cleanliness “patrols” where they will be disinfecting high-touch areas throughout the day and checking that all soap and sanitizer dispensers are full.

- Increasing hygiene practices for staff include increased hand-washing, sneezing and coughing etiquette, and maintaining a clean work station.

For more information and tickets, go to www.skeletonmuseum.com. Follow the museum on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MuseumofOsteology.

-BAM