Perseverance and Preparation

PERSEVERANCE & PREPARATION

What It Takes to Reopen During a Pandemic

When COVID-19 forced the closure of the museum on March 17, like so many other organizations, we had to scramble. Not only did we have to get our staff set up to work remotely, we had to ensure the millions of objects and records we hold for the people of British Columbia were protected. We also had to find ways to look after our beetle colony and our living exhibits, safeguard the site, continue to provide access to archival records, conduct research and deliver learning programs, and prepare for reopening.

As we worked through the details of our phased return and reopening, we put health and safety at the centre. That meant things took a bit longer than some people expected, but it allowed us the time to get it right.

The hard work has paid off, and the museum began its phased public reopening on June 19. IMAX Victoria opened with reduced capacity on July 3, and we began increasing onsite access to the BC Archives on July 30.

When you visit next, you’ll notice some changes. For more information, visit rbcm.ca. Continue reading to learn about some of the work that has gone into making your museum and archives visit a safe experience.

By Bill Chimko

Risk, Security Services and Business Continuity Manager

Risk Management

The pandemic presented a unique challenge for security and museum operations: it impacted our staffing, suppliers and industry partners, as well as the availability of personal protective equipment (PPE). Through every moment of the crisis, we had to manage unexpected challenges while maintaining a complete security and risk management program, even while the museum was closed.

For reopening, our priority was to ensure complete safety for staff and visitors. We immediately instituted physical separation and room capacity measures, elevated cleaning, and new first aid and health assessment procedures for our teams and work units, and we quickly established escalated protocols to reduce safety risk to the public and museum collections. When you’re next at the museum, you’ll see security controlling capacity in the galleries and giving polite reminders to maintain physical distancing when needed, all while maintaining the highest standards of visitor experience and safety.

Hon. Lisa Beare, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, and her daughter explore the tidal pool in the Natural History gallery.

Conservator Lisa Bengston cleans a specimen in the mudflats diorama of the Natural History gallery.

By Lisa Bengston

Object Conservator

Collections Care

Caring for collections at the Royal BC Museum during the COVID-19 closure required a dynamic and multifaceted approach.

One important element was preventive pest monitoring, maintained throughout the museum during the closure. As a result of our vigilance, we quickly detected and remedied a minor pest infestation in collections storage. Conservators took advantage of gallery closures to clean specimens in the Natural History galleries and objects in Old Town and the First Peoples gallery. Acquisitions, loans, exhibits and on-site collections visits were suspended and are being resumed in stages. Our collections on loan to other museums have been well cared for, and a few new loans that were due to ship during the museum’s closure have now been packed and delivered. We are excited to be back at the museum, surrounded by the collections of British Columbia, and we look forward to welcoming you back!

By Beverly Paty

Archives Collections Manager

Archives Access

In March, to meet provincial safety guidelines, the BC Archives staff pivoted to remote work, and physical access to the Reference Room was restricted. Staff continued to provide service to researchers and enrich the collections data while working remotely.

As restrictions were lifted and we began to welcome staff back to the workplace, there were many things to consider, and we needed a plan. Adhering closely to the guidelines put forth by WorkSafeBC, we assessed each area of the archives building for risks and created signs to provide rules for occupancy, directional flow and hand washing. Staffing schedules were adjusted to make sure physical distancing could be maintained.

Expanding physical access to the Reference Room was just as challenging. WorksafeBC regulations only allow eight people in the room, so we drafted plans for physical distancing and set up an appointment system. In order to limit the potential spread of COVID-19, any boxes used by researchers or brought in from off site are quarantined for 72 hours.

There are many factors to consider when reopening a building and increasing public access. At the BC Archives, we have created a safe environment for both staff and researchers.