Visitors will be required to wear masks as a public safety measure. (photo courtesy of NHM)

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, California African American Museum and California Science Center, all located in Exposition Park, announced on June 15 that they will continue to require visitors to wear masks indoors.

Despite the state of California and Los Angeles County loosening restrictions on wearing face coverings in public for those who are fully vaccinated, masks will still be required indoors at the museums for the safety of all visitors. Los Angeles County Department of Public Health guidelines stipulate that businesses can individually determine their own mask use policies.

“The health and safety of our visitors and staff remains our number one priority. While Los Angeles is moving closer to community immunity, we cannot forget our vulnerable populations, including our youngest visitors – those 11 and under – who are not yet eligible to receive the vaccine,” read a joint statement issued by the three museums. “It is important to us not only to help keep our community safe, but to help ensure that parents feel safe bringing their children to our museums. For this reason, we join together in continuing to require [that] all visitors ages 2 and up, vaccinated or not, wear masks at all times when indoors.”

The Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County include the Natural History Museum, located at 900 Exposition Blvd., as well as the La Brea Tar Pits and Museum at 5801 Wilshire Blvd. and the William S. Hart Museum at 24151 Newhall Ave. in Newhall. The California African American Museum is located at 600 State Drive, in Exposition Park, and the California Science Center is located at 700 Exposition Park Drive. For information, visit nhm.org, caamuseum.org and californiasciencecenter.org.