A range of safety measures will be in place when the Sydney Tramway Museum at Loftus reopens tomorrow (Sunday, August 9) after a five-month shutdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
The measures include the cleaning of all tram handrails and seats after every trip and a limit on passenger numbers, although families will be able to travel together.
The museum said in a statement the reopening followed "much planning, consultation and consideration".
"The museum will be open on Sundays only and will look to open on Wednesdays again in the near future.
"The safety of all at the museum is our priority, so strict covid guidelines will be in place to ensure that both visitors and volunteers are safe at all times."
The rules applying to visitors and the volunteers who operate the museum include:
- Social distancing guidelines will be observed.
- Maximum of 160 visitors at any one time.
- All visitors must record their contact details on entry, similar to clubs, hotels, cafes and restaurants, in case Covid tracing becomes necessary.
- A limit of 40 people in the Display Hall, and restrictions on numbers in the bookshop and kiosk.
- Contactless payment preferred and tickets will not be sold on trams.
- Hand sanitiser will be available to volunteer staff and visitors as they board trams and in the display hall, at the front gate, and in the shops.
- Cleaning of all tram handrails and seats will occur after every trip.
- Limited passenger numbers on tram journeys (following Covid guidelines) Families can travel together on trams.
The statement said anyone with Covid symptoms, had close contact with someone suspected of having coronavirus or had visited Melbourne recently should not visit at this time.
"The reopening of the museum is dependent on our volunteers meeting strict protocols and health guidelines," the statement said.
"Changes to government restrictions and circumstances can occur without notice."
While COVID-19 may have stopped visitors, restoration work continued at the homes of volunteer staff.
One project, by Jim Allingham, was the restoration of a classic Sydney telephone box, which is on display in the museum,complete with original telephone equipment.
