Mckeesport Regional History & Heritage Center to Re-Open

As we open our Center to the public on JUNE 11, 2020, we will need to adjust the way we operate. In order to provide a safe environment for both staff and visitors. These guidelines are based on the best information currently available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Pennsylvania Department of Health (PADOH). These guidelines are also based on current directives from Governor Wolf and the American Alliance of Museums.

This information will be updated as appropriate.

Visitors

• In the Governor’s Phase Green of reopening, all visitors will be encouraged to call ahead for reservations, especially those doing research. Visitors without reservations may be refused service at indoor facilities and may be asked to return at a later time due to capacity issues. We will restrict capacity to 50% or less. All visitors must pass the COVID-19 screening survey.

• Visitors must wear coverings over their nose and mouth before entering the site. If supplies allow, the Center may offer face coverings to visitors that do not have them IF supplies allow.​

  • The CDC recommends that face coverings should:

    • fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face

    • be secured with ties or ear loops

    • include multiple layers of fabric

    • allow for breathing without restriction

    • be able to be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to the shape

• Visitors will be strongly encouraged to bring their own hand sanitizer. The Heritage Center will also have adequate supplies for visitors to use.

• Visitors must wash or sanitize their hands as they begin their visit at the entrance. They will be encouraged to do so again before leaving. Front Desk Staff will communicate this to the visitors, as will signage.

• Visitors who do not respect social distancing or hand hygiene requirements may be refused service and asked to leave the site.

• When a visitor arrives or calls to make an appointment to visit, they will be asked the following screening questions:

  • Do you have a fever, cough, or difficulty breathing?

  • Does anyone in your household have a fever, cough, or difficulty breathing?

  • Do you or someone in your household have a confirmed case of COVID-19?

  • Have you or someone in your household been in contact with someone with a confirmed case of COVID-19?

• If the potential visitor answers yes to any of the above questions they will be asked to make their reservation for at least two weeks later. When they do visit the site, they will be asked the same screening questions again. If they answer yes to any question, they will be asked to visit another time.

• The Center will   make gloves available to visitors for use with computers, microfilm machines, touchscreens and other sensitive or difficult to clean interactive programmatic or exhibit components. Visitors should wear them only for that activity or use hand sanitizer before using them for a different component or activity to avoid transferring germs from place to place.

• Operations at a site may be temporarily closed in part or whole should any of the following occur:

  • Staff, volunteers, contractors, or visitors have a suspected or lab-confirmed case of COVID-19.

  • The site’s inventory of cleaning supplies and/or PPE is insufficient to safely operate as per these guidelines.

• Groups that arrive together in the same vehicle and/or of the same household group may gather together at the site. It is encouraged these groups be 5 or fewer.

• Any area where visitors may have to queue or wait for service should have appropriate distances identified between people.

• Drinking fountains should be deactivated and/or boxed off and not available for use.

• Any interactive or “hands-on” exhibit component that cannot be disinfected after each

• visitor/user or after each household group will be removed from use by visitors.

• The School House will remain closed to visitors.

Read our entire DRAFT re-opening plan here.