BRYAN, Texas — Texas is slowly but surely looking to reopen the state. Gov. Greg Abbott announces plans to gradually reopen Texas in phases. Part of phase one allowed museums to reopen on May 1, but taking a closer look at Abbott’s order to reopen some museums and its services must stay closed.
The Children’s Museum of the Brazos Valley closed its doors for the safety of the public on March 14.
“We serve such a young population we wanted to air on the side of caution to keep our families safe and kids safe," said Ashley Kortis, the executive director.
Abbott announced the Texas stay-at-home order would not be renewed past April 30 and many businesses could start to slowly reopen.
“We were so excited when he said museums could be open," Kortis said.
Under Abbott’s executive order allowed for museums to reopen with 25% occupancy. However, the order said no interactive exhibits or child play areas can reopen.
“We only have interactive and hands-on exhibits," Kortis said. "We are a museum, but we are different than the ones where everything is behind glass cases and you read about things, we’re a museum where you can touch everything.”
The children’s museum is hoping to be reopened by June 1.
They’re not the only museum in Brazos County not reopening. Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History is extending its closure to May 18. The museum said it is using the time to "install social distancing policies, clean & disinfect regimes and other safety procedures."
The children’s museum said it too will be using the time to plan how it would move forward for the future.
“We’re toying with different ideas, whether that’s lowering the number of people that can be in here at one time or do we go to an appointment style visitorship,” Kortis said.
It is hard to say what activity could look like in a month, but the children’s museum is keeping its spirits high.
