JAMESTOWN, NY – The National Comedy Center, the nation’s official cultural institution and non-profit museum dedicated to comedy, announced Thursday that it will reopen its state-of-the-art museum in Jamestown, NY, as well as the Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum today, following New York State officials’ authorization of Phase 4 of its New York Forward reopening plan for the Western New York region.
Both museums have been closed since March 16, 2020 as a precaution due to COVID-19.
The National Comedy Center has developed a multifaceted and comprehensive health and safety program entitled “LaughSafe,” which will be implemented upon reopening to ensure the health and safety of all guests and staff. In much the same way that the Comedy Center redefined the museum visitor experience with state of the art personalization and interactive technology when it first opened in 2018, the LaughSafe program has reimagined health and safety protocols in order to ensure a safe, worry-free and touch-free experience for all visitors to the National Comedy Center and Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum.
“We’re thrilled at the opportunity to help people start laughing again – and it’s clear that the power of comedy is more important than ever in these challenging times,” stated Journey Gunderson, National Comedy Center Executive Director. “We’re so pleased that we can welcome visitors once more, and provide a safe and worry-free environment for our guests to take a much-needed break, relax and simply laugh –- loud and often — as they enjoy some of the greatest comedy of all time.”
The National Comedy Center’s LaughSafe program was developed in consultation with medical professionals at UPMC Chautauqua and UPMC in Pittsburgh, including health and safety protocol reviews with UPMC epidemiologists and an on-site inspection with local UPMC Chautauqua health professionals.
Features include:
— “Touch-Free”: All exhibits and screens are now touch-free with the use of a disposable stylus, disposable earbuds and a new “LaughCard” featuring an RFID chip for personalized comedy.
— Temperature checks are required for all guests and staff members upon entry, as well as a daily health screening for staff members.
— Masks are required to be worn by staff and guests (including children age 2 and above) at all times.
— Museum capacity has been reduced to 25% and timed guest entry protocols have been implemented.
— Certain exhibit experiences in contained spaces are limited to small groups consisting of members of the same household.
— Advanced online reservations are strongly recommended to ensure entry.
— Visitors now have a new opportunity to create their Sense of Humor profiles at home, before they visit, rather than at a kiosk within the museum.
— Social distancing markers and signage have been placed throughout the museum to ensure proper physical distance between guests.
— Hand-sanitizing stations are located throughout the museum.
— Touch-free, contactless payment options are now available.
— Museum staff have been trained extensively for new health and safety protocols.
— State-of-the-art, deep cleaning and disinfecting techniques have been implemented, including frequent disinfecting throughout the day.
— Real-time monitoring of guest experience and feedback to optimize health and safety protocols.
For more on LaughSafe, visit ComedyCenter.org/LaughSafe.
In addition to consultation with local UPMC Chautauqua health professionals, the National Comedy Center sourced local Chautauqua County companies for many of its LaughSafe initiatives, including The Resource Center and Team Jock Shop for face masks, Jamestown Soap & Solvent for cleaning and disinfecting supplies and 360 Graphics for signage.
The National Comedy Center will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday-Monday and closed Tuesday and Wednesday. Meanwhile, the Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Monday, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, and closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
