For the Wausau Times

WAUSAU – The Woodson Art Museum has temporarily closed.

“As a proactive precaution, the Woodson Art Museum is closing temporarily, beginning Friday, October 9, until further notice, for the safety of all and to help slow the spread of COVID-19,” a release said.

“Closing the museum is not in response to any known positive COVID-19 tests among staff, volunteers, or visitors. This is a precautionary closure due to the continued rise in cases locally and throughout Wisconsin. The safety of Museum visitors, volunteers, and staff remains paramount.

“The Museum’s first precautionary closure began on March 17, a week before the statewide shutdown, and staff then worked onsite and remotely to make preparations to safely reopen. Since the June 16 public reopening, museum staff and volunteers have been wearing masks and expecting visitors to do so, too, encouraging physical distancing, providing hand-sanitizer stations and many touch-free options, and continuously disinfecting high-touch surfaces.

“However, given the increase in COVID-19 numbers in northcentral Wisconsin, the museum is temporarily closing to encourage safety at this critical time. The Woodson Art Museum seeks to help reduce cases and the resulting pressure on local health systems. Safety and community support are our top priorities.”

Staff said that actively monitoring COVID-19 data will determine next steps and the timing for a controlled reopening, as appropriate. Updates will be posted on the museum’s website home page at www.lywam.org and social media channels.