The University of Wollongong's Early Start Discovery Space will begin a staged reopening from Wednesday.
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It means children will be able to explore the Experiences in the Discovery Space again during and after the school holidays.
Early Start chief executive Anita Kumar said in preparation for reopening the team has developed a COVID-Safe Operations Plan to protect the health and safety of members, guests and staff.
She said the operation of the facility will be in line with both Federal and NSW Government guidelines.
Ms Kumar said Discovery Space members and their invited guests will have first access when it reopens and all memberships have been given a 135-day extension.
That includes 105 days for the period Discovery Space was closed and an additional 30 days as a thank you.
When it reopens on Wednesday the Discovery Space will be open from Tuesdays to Sundays and closed on Mondays and public holidays.
Online bookings are essential for all visitors.
Ms Kumar said the reopening will take place in three stages with dates for the second and third stage still being decided..
- In stage one from July 8 the Discovery Space will be open for one session per day from 9am to 12 noon, and only for members and their invited guests.
- In stage two, the Discovery Space will open for two sessions per day, from 9am to 12 noon, and from 1pm to 4pm, and only for members and their invited guests.
- In stage three, Discovery Space will open to the general public.
Initially, session numbers will be capped at 100 to allow staff to assess how the new health and safety measures are working. Other measures and cleaning protocols have also been put in place to protect the health and safety of members, guests and staff:
All staff have completed the COVID-19 Infection and Prevention Control training endorsed by the Australian government.
Enhanced daily cleaning regimes, include frequent cleaning of high touchpoints. Adequate handwashing facilities are available and additional hand sanitiser dispensers have been installed.
Contact information being collected on booking to comply with public health guidelines. And there will be zero contact during check-in.
Elevator use is recommended for household group at a time and there are separate entry and exit doors along with floor markings and signage to help visitors maintain safe distances.
Transactions will be by EFTPOS only and there are limits on the number of people using an Experience at any one time.
Some changes have been made to the layout to ensure physical distancing and drinking bubblers have been turned off so patrons are advised to bring a water bottle or purchase one at the cafe.
During the closure Early Start launched Discovery At Home to provide online access to engaging videos, expert insights and guided activities which reached ore than 330,000 families around Australia.
It has been so successful Early Start will continue running Discovery at Home during the staged reopening.
Other venues reopen in time for the school holidays
- School holiday fun on agenda for Illawarra Fly Treetop Walk and Zipline Tour from Saturday
- Science Space plans a grand reopening on Thursday in time for the school holidays
- Excitement is building for the grand reopening of the new 3Sixty Indoor Skate Park few got the chance to visit before COVID-19
- Children happy as inflatable play centre reopens at Warrawong
- No ball pits but plenty of other fun activities as play centres reopen for Illawarra children in time for the school holidays
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Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
