Florida Holocaust Museum Plans To Reopen After COVID Closure

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — As The Florida Holocaust Museum plans to slowly reopen since closing its doors earlier this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, BayCare has implemented safety measures for visitors and staff.

On Wednesday, Oct. 28, the BayCare Employer Solutions team toured the facility to inspect the new health and safety measures, staff said.

The BayCare team commended the museum for these health and safety measures:

• Appropriate social distancing between guests and timed tickets
• Satisfactory cleaning and spacing protocols for office and cubicles
• Cleaning protocols throughout the facility
• Contactless ticketing
• Limited museum capacity
• Signage for handwashing, masks, direction flow and social distancing
• Accessible hand sanitizing stations throughout the museum

In addition, the facility has added the following precautions to keep visitors healthy:

• Temperature checks at the door
• Everyone must wear a mask inside—the Florida Holocaust Museum masks are available for purchase for $8
• Air filtration system has been updated with CDC recommended filters
• Interactive elements like touch buttons and virtual reality will not be available
• Social distance markers are placed on the floor throughout the museum
• Staggered museum entrance is equipped with advanced, cashless timed ticketing
• Plexiglass shields have been installed at security and admissions

BayCare recommended the following additional safety protocols:

• Signage around bathrooms to limit use to two people at one time
• If you choose to utilize interactive displays, use cleaning stations, Q-tips, and trash cans for the interaction
• Water fountains should remain on and run occasionally to discourage the buildup of green slime and future plumbing issues
• When the store is open, limit occupancy to five individuals. Also have a hand sanitizing station at each entrance

“We’re thrilled to work with the Florida Holocaust Museum to help them create a safe environment for their visitors and staff,” Donna St. Louis, RN, said. “From the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, BayCare has worked with businesses across the region to ensure they continue to reopen safely.”

The Florida Holocaust Museum will first open to embers only, before allowing first responders and teachers to visit at no charge, and then will open to the public.

The reopening schedule is below. The museum's new hours are from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with last admission at 2 p.m., and advanced timed tickets are required for entry.

Open To Members Only

• Nov. 9—Kristallnacht
• First two weekends in December—Dec. 4, 5, 6, and Dec. 11, 12, 13

Open To Members, First Responders and Teachers Only

• Last two weekends in Dec.—Dec. 18, 19, 20 and Dec. 26, 27

Open To The Public

• Weekends in Jan.—Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays
• Jan. 27 - International Holocaust Remembrance Day—free admission

For full information on The Florida Holocaust Museum's coronavirus safety precautions, click here.

To purchase advanced timed tickets, click here.