Key Lessons in Adapting Interactive Experiences for a COVID-Safe Museum

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced museum communities around the world to rapidly re-examine their approach to safe visitor engagement. In an atmosphere of uncertainty, increased attention to hygiene and social distancing, the following is a reflection by SparkLab Sciencentre in the Queensland Museum, Australia, two months after reopening. It highlights the key lessons learnt and strategies adopted, as they continue to reshape and reassess their approach to safe hands-on visitor engagement. This reflection also emphasises the overarching importance of agile planning, open communication, and continued monitoring of COVID-Safe operations, visitor engagement and staff wellbeing.