Blog

We are so happy to be moving forward with the reopening of the CAC, and for the opportunity to provide tours and services to our guests. Here is a summary of the information provided at the Town Hall meeting. There is a great deal of material here, so we encourage you to read it through carefully. And then give it another once over, just to make sure you’ve got everything!

Protocols for being at the CAC (as of 7.1.2020)

Please note these protocols are subject to change. We will alert you if any changes are made.

• Enter CAC wearing a mask and through the main entrance.
  • CAC will provide one branded mask for all docents, exhibit hosts, education guides, and guest services. These masks are reusable and should be hand washed/line dried after each wear.
  • Please see below for information regarding shields.
  • It is preferred that you pick up your mask/shield the day of your tour to limit the amount of people in the Center. If this is not possible, make plans with Caroline for pick-up.
• To check in for your tour/shift, let box office staff know your name and tour/shift
• Bottled water is available behind Guest services desk or bring in your own full water bottle.
• If you need a locker to store items, staff will assign one to you. Lockers are located in the closet nearest to the restrooms
• The back office is limited to staff only; the library and kitchen areas are closed.
• If you are reporting for an exhibit host shift, rotate between the exhibit spaces as needed.
• Docents only-If you would like to use a shield, staff can provide one for you.
  • A shield is not a replacement for a mask. These are only to be used OUTSIDE and you will still need to keep your mask readily available.
  • You should still wear your mask until you are OUTSIDE and ready to give your tour.
  • You must maintain 6ft between you and guests during your tour if you choose to wear.
  • If you cannot maintain social distancing at certain parts, put your mask back on.
  • There are 2 shield options. You a can choose ONE option.
  • Clip on:
    • This option is attached to your hat with clips. You must bring your own hat (CAC branded preferred). If you need a hat, let Caroline know PRIOR to your tour.
    • The clips work best with a baseball cap, but there are smaller clips to accommodate a thinner brim.
  • Halo
    • This option simply sits over your head.
• If you are reporting for a tour, you will be directed to either wait outside or orientation at a designated stanchion.
• Upon returning from your tour, put your mask back on (if you wearing just wearing a shield).
• If you used a locker, wipe down your locker (inside and out) with Lysol before you leave.
• Parking-As a member, you can park at 111 E. Wacker at the discounted rate of 4 hours for $15. You can get a voucher from the box office staff. Millennium Park garages are currently offering a $13 rate (in response to COVID).

Out on the Street – Best Practices for Tour Safety (Covid 19 Edition)

• Guests will be limited to six (6) per docent.
• Per CDC guidelines, the docent should instruct guests to maintain six (6) feet between each other and the docent. Guests from the same household may be closer to each other but must maintain the 6-foot distance from non-related guests and the docent.
• Docents must wear masks, and may use shields. See previous section for details.
• All guests must wear masks or plastic shields during the entire tour. The mask requirement applies to everyone on the tour, including children 2 and over.
• The docent should instruct guests that their masks/shields MUST cover the nose and mouth, without exception.
• At the start of the tour, the docent should inform guests that he/she is required to terminate the tour if a touree refuses to comply with the mask requirement.
• The docent should lay out these “rules of the road” in his/her introduction and reinforce the rules throughout the tour.
• Since every stop is different depending on the street, the docent will rearrange the group at each stop to ensure compliance. A mention or perhaps demonstrating with arms out will likely be sufficient.
• Food and drink: The docent should direct tour takers not to eat on the tour; and when they need to drink, to pull down their mask, take a quick drink and then quickly replace their mask.
• As the docent, you should take drinks often and step away from the group as needed.

Out on the Street – Tour Tips

• When starting the tour at CAC, the docent must not block the front door of the building. Depending on the size of the group, the docent can place their group just outside the door on the small plaza, on the plaza in front of the steps to the east, or on the plaza in front of the Amazon store.
• Speak up! Since we won’t be using the usual listening devices, guests may find it harder to hear because of the masks/shields. Docents who would like to use an amplifier must purchase their own. Below are two options suggested by CAC staff. There are other options as well. You may select the one that works best for you. CLICK on the product for details.
  • Zoweetek – $39.99
    Glecy – $39.98

River Cruise

Face Coverings & General Safety 

• Guests, CFL Crew and docents are all required to wear masks, except when eating or drinking.
• Shields can be used as a substitute for other face coverings as long as the docent remains over 6 ft away from guests
• We understand that masks and shields could be hot during these summer month so you should ensure you remove the mask to drink water and to cool down for a moment. However, while you are speaking a mask or shield needs to be in place.
• For your own personal safety, it would be wise to minimize the amount of personal gear you bring on board. You will not be able to store personal items in pilot house or elsewhere.

Pre-Cruise Procedures 

• As we begin, there will be no CAC river cruise brochure distribution.
• For the health, safety, and comfort of our river cruise guests and docents, CFL has requested that docents do not engage directly with guests in the boarding line or while they are taking their seats.
• There still be a logbook to sign in, as this is required by USCG. It will reside where it has traditionally, the portside highboy table in the salon.

Microphones 

• Wind screens/socks will be provided, one for each docent to keep and re-use.
• The physical mic will be cleaned between cruises.
• At the start of the cruise, the captain will remain in the pilot house, perform the opening announcements using his or her own mic, prior to introducing the docent.

Boat Logistics and Procedures 

• There will only be 100 chairs total onboard. There is considerable social distancing all around. Click here for the floorplan.
• CFL will be doing deeper cleaning using CDC approved protocols more often every day, including every two hours in high traffic areas and between each tour. Each team will perform a deep disinfection at the end of every day.
• Turnaround time between tours has been extended from 30 minutes to 60 minutes to allow for sanitization and early boarding.
• The crew will be responsible for enforcing social distancing as well as decorum.
• Water will still be available onboard. The salon bars will be closed but CFL will use the upper deck bar.
• To ensure social distancing, the pilot house will not be available for docents except in case of emergency
• Umbrellas will be onboard for your use and we are asking about the CFL hot weather policy
• Boarding and deboarding will likely take place at different docks.
• CFL is requesting that docents stay on board until after guests depart, and refer questions to CAC via email or social email in order to limit interaction. An alternative, if you have the time and inclination, would be to solicit questions as you are nearing the dock, before the boat comes in.
• All tours board at Dock Two, and deboard at Dock Four.
• Queue stanchions have been spaced six feet apart to remind guests to socially distance.

Please also review CAC’s COVID Safety Policies posted on our website for guests.