Dear PEM Community,
As news of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak continues to evolve, we want to share with you the steps that PEM is taking to help ensure the health and safety of its staff, visitors, and community.
We are closely monitoring the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation and are taking action based on guidance from public health experts and the national cultural organizations of which we are members. This is, as we are all aware, an evolving and unprecedented situation. PEM has increased its safety protocols, including the frequency and intensity of its sanitation and disinfection efforts across the museum. High-contact surfaces such as door handles, elevator buttons, railings, and restrooms are being cleaned thoroughly multiple times per day and hand sanitizer and sanitized wipe dispensers have been installed throughout the museum and museum offices. Aerosol disinfectant foggers are used after-hours on a daily basis in PEM’s large public spaces and the museum will continue to refine its protocols based on public health recommendations.
Around the museum, you’ll find signage encouraging enhanced personal hygiene and sanitary precautions. And behind the scenes, PEM staff have been barred from travel to high-risk locations, and are advised not to come to work if they are feeling unwell or have come into possible contact with a COVID-19 carrier.
We ask that you use your best judgment when planning a visit to the museum. If you are feeling unwell, please stay home to protect the health of others. PEM will offer full refunds for any of our ticketed events if you decide not to attend. We are reviewing our events policy and whether current schedules will be cancelled or postponed. We will keep communicating regularly with updates, so please do check on our website, pem.org.
It is our hope that these steps will help contribute to the sustained good health of our community and will offer some assurance during this distressing time.
Kind regards,
Brian P. Kennedy
The Rose-Marie and Eijk van Otterloo Director and CEO
Peabody Essex Museum